By Mark Squibb | July 22, 2021
Last week, the Irish Loop Post reported that a number of folks, including Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Dricsoll, were seeking clarification regarding reports that the Department of Health and Community Services would be withdrawing one of the two Ryan’s Ambulance Service ambulances in Trepassey to Ferryland Emergency Services based in Cape Broyle.
The Department had not confirmed the reports by publication deadline, but did confirm them following the deadline in an e-mail to the Irish Loop Post.
Attached to that email was a copy of the letter sent by Minister John Haggie to Trepassey Mayor Joan Power, dated July 7.
Haggie, in that letter, said the relocation was due to changing demographics in the communities between Cape Broyle and Trepassey.
“Over the past three decades, Trepassey has witnessed a significant decline in its population without an adjustment in ambulance coverage,” wrote Haggie. “Over the same time period the population in and around Cape Broyle/Ferryland has grown, again without an adjustment in ambulance resources. Emergency call volume in Cape Broyle/Ferryland region is now twice that of the Trepassey region. However, at present, Trepassey has two emergency ambulances while Cape Broyle/Ferryland has one.”
Concerns raised by Trepassey residents include long ambulance wait times, and Haggie did allow a potential solution to this concern.
“The ambulance in Ferryland will be available to respond to emergencies in Trepassey and if demand warrants, consideration will be given to moving the ambulance to a community closer to Trepassey when the remaining Trepassey ambulance is on a call,” wrote Haggie. “This will lessen response time to your town if a second emergency arises.”
