Saskatchewan Health Authority says it cannot provide data showing how often Alberta ambulances have been used to respond to emergency calls in Lloydminster when Saskatchewan-staffed units were unavailable, despite being given time to retrieve the information.
The response follows a series of questions posed to Saskatchewan Health Authority as part of ongoing reporting into emergency medical coverage and response capacity in the border city.
Lloydminster operates within a two-province emergency medical system, relying on cooperation between Saskatchewan and Alberta to maintain coverage. While SHA confirmed that cross-border responses occur, it declined to provide data quantifying how often Saskatchewan resources were unavailable locally.
Coverage standards confirmed, specifics not disclosed
In response to questions about whether minimum ambulance staffing levels are contractually required in Lloydminster at specific times of day, SHA confirmed that coverage standards exist but did not disclose what those standards require in practice.
“The Saskatchewan Health Authority is responsible for the delivery of programs and services including the management of contracts for ambulance services throughout the province,” SHA said.
“Contracts for ambulance services contain several provisions, including service expectations related to coverage, response capacity and patient safety.”
SHA did not clarify whether those provisions include minimum ambulance numbers for Lloydminster, how those standards are measured, or whether they are being consistently met.
Cross-border responses acknowledged, data declined
When asked how many times Saskatchewan’s provincial ambulance service requested coverage assistance from Medavie Alberta in the past 60 days due to unavailable Saskatchewan-staffed ambulances, SHA said it could not provide that information.
“We are unable to retrieve that data within your timeframe,” SHA said.
The questions were submitted prior to Christmas, with responses provided on Jan. 5, allowing approximately two weeks for the information to be retrieved.
SHA confirmed that Alberta ambulances do respond in Lloydminster when they are the closest available unit.
“Lloydminster is a unique border community where cross-jurisdictional cooperation between Saskatchewan and Alberta emergency medical services is in place to ensure timely patient care,” SHA said.
“From time to time, ambulance resources from either province may respond when they are the closest available unit.”
SHA did not explain why data covering the previous 60 days could not be retrieved within that period, whether the information is routinely tracked, or when it could be made available.
No overnight transfer ban, operational limits cited
SHA also addressed questions raised to The Border Pulse about whether inter-facility transfers are restricted during overnight hours in Lloydminster or surrounding communities, an issue that can directly affect patient wait times.
“No,” SHA said when asked whether a provincial protocol exists prohibiting transfers between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
“Inter-facility transfers are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with decisions guided by patient acuity, clinical need, available resources and overall system capacity,” SHA said.
“Overnight transfers remain an accepted and sanctioned practice when clinically appropriate and safe to do so.”
SHA added that operational factors may influence when transfers occur.
“Operational decisions regarding the timing of transfers may be influenced by staffing levels, weather and ambulance availability at a given time,” SHA said, adding that these are “operational considerations, not a standing provincial prohibition.”
Limited visibility for residents
SHA’s responses confirm that ambulance coverage standards exist, cross-border responses are used, and overnight transfers are permitted. However, the authority declined to provide measurable data outlining how often Saskatchewan ambulance capacity in Lloydminster requires external support or how close the system operates to its limits.
SHA did not indicate when, or if, the requested ambulance coverage data would be made available.
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