by The province is spending another $3.5 million to install what’s being called state-of-the-art equipment in more ambulances—something the Health Department says will make the vehicles safer for patients and paramedics.
It says the buying of 78 power stretchers and 65 power loaders means by the end of the year all EHS ambulances and patient transfer units will be outfitted with the technology.
Power stretchers and power loaders allow patients to be lifted into ambulances with the push of a button.
The equipment will be delivered over the next six weeks from the manufacturer, Stryker Canada, and the stretchers will be added to vehicles immediately.
To make sure there’s no disruption to patient care, loaders will be installed during planned vehicle maintenance between now and the end of the year.