The provincial government hopes to restructure the ambulance system as we know it in the next couple of months.

They’re close to signing a ten-year deal with private company Medavie to manage the system, which will be integrated more closely with the front lines of the medical system.

The province is in the final stages of integrating the road component of ambulance care with the air component.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services CEO Dr. Pat Parfrey says people who need emergency medical transportation will soon be able to connect with a doctor who will initiate planning for the next stage of care.

A physician and clinical chief will work out of central dispatch 24/7, and will be available to help choose which medical facility is best suited to receive the patient. They will also collect information on bed availability.

He says the new approach will be totally different from how things are done now.