Province vows to soothe concerns over privatization of air ambulance

If at first you don't succeed at convincingManitobaLifeflight doctors their service should be privatized,try, try again.

Health minister Cameron Friesensaid Monday his government would try for a seventh time to soothethe concerns of16 doctors, whothreatened to quit if theLifeflightair ambulance service is privatized.

This week's meeting would be the first attended by Friesen,who was shuffled to the health portfolioinAugust, he said.

"If they feel like a seventh meeting would be helpful to them, to additionally air concerns they might have, I welcome it,"Friesensaid.

"As the new minister responsible for health, it's perhaps a good time to engage with them once again."

The physicians are speakingout against the province's plans to privatize aservice currently operated by Manitoba Government Air Services to try and save money.

The doctors wrote in their Oct. 20 letter they're concerned about the impact to patient care when a valuable service,operated without serious incidents for 30 years, is shifted to a for-profit model.

Threatening to quit

"We, the medical staff ofLifeflightManitoba air ambulance, wish to make it clear that we are not prepared to work in an environment that provides substandard patient care and increases risk to patients and providers," the letterreads.

Friesen deflected a suggestion his government failed to explain itself to the physicians, givensix earlier meetings didnot placatetheir worries.

"We share their fundamental concern, which is making sure this service is there for Manitobans, is not negatively compromised and can be expanded."

Friesendid not answer whether he was worriedthe physicians would walk off the job, saying he's happy to meet with the doctors later this week so they can understand each other better.

NDPleader Wab Kinewsaid the province should listen to the medical expertsand abandon its plans.

Doctors are truthful: NDP

"Who do you believe a physician or a politician?"Kinewasked.

The Manitoba government issued a request for proposals in Julyto privatize the air ambulance and general transport services. The province expects to announce the winning bid in early 2019.

The physicians'letter expressed uneasethat privatization woulddelay care, as the switch to a private operator limits the type of planes that can be flown, which mayrestrictthe number of runways they can land on.

It is further alleged privatization will create a two-tiered health-care system, wherenorthern Manitoba residents would bedisadvantaged by slower response times.

If need be, Friesen said the province would opt for the status quorather than transfer work to an inadequate private firm.

"The market is going to tell us whether such a service can beprovided andmeet that standard that we've set for safety," he said. "If it can't be met, that engagement won't be entered into."

The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, whichrepresent the 16 physicians, saidthe rush to privatize the service is "short-sighted and risky."

Province vows to soothe concerns over privatization of air ambulance

6 years ago

Duration 1:48

Health minister Cameron Friesen said Monday his government would try for a seventh time to soothe the concerns of 16 doctors, who threatened to quit if the Lifeflight air ambulance service is privatized.