NAPE is calling on the provincial government to beef up the Air Ambulance service in light of new information regarding the cost of contracting out the service.
Government frequently uses private air companies including EVAS and PAL when necessary, but information NAPE got from a series of ATIPPA requests shows that contracting out is several times more expensive per patient than the public aircraft.
Union president Jerry Earle says the profit motive has no place in our health care system. They have been after government for the past few years to make changes and expand the public service. Air Ambulance is currently based in St. John’s and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
He says figures for the fiscal year 2020-2021 show that the private transfers are four to five times more expensive. Clearly, he adds, the public service can do it much more cost-effectively and efficiently.