BONNYYVILLE – Lakeland Non-Emergency Medical Transport (LNEMT) was denied a request for funding support from the Town of Bonnyville, with council opting to hold out and see what other non-emergency medical service ideas come out of discussions happening within Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).
The funding request for $3,000 to $5,000 was discussed during the Nov. 12 Town of Bonnyville council meeting.
LNEMT was seeking financial assistance to provide essential non-emergency medical transportation services for the elderly and disabled. The organization offers its services across Northern Alberta.
The $3,000 proposal would have provided gas and wages for 10 to 15 trips, if all appointments were local.
The administration’s recommendations included denying the request for funding, while bringing up the MD of Bonnyville’s seniors transportation grant and how the Town of Bonnyville has been researching similar potential programs.
Coun. Kayla Blanchette commented that despite LNEMT offering a much-needed service to the community, she agreed with administration’s recommendations to deny the request.
“It's certainly no secret that transportation is a barrier for folks living in rural Alberta, so kudos to these folks for taking the initiative to alleviate some of that stress, but with that being said, I would agree with the staff recommendation that we deny this request at least for now,” said Blanchette.
Coun. David Sharun, Blanchette, and senior members of administration were involved in a meeting in the summer as part of their work with FCSS. They identified transportation as a need within the region.
“It's my understanding that those conversations have continued past that meeting. I don't think it would be wise for us to support this at this time when we're in the midst of finding a more sustainable solution at a higher level,” said Blanchette.
Coun. Byron Johnson commented that upon reading the LNEMT funding request, in the section where it asks whether it is non-profit or for profit, the application states that it is for profit.
“If it is a business for profit, I wouldn't be in favour of this for sure, and I agree with councillor Blanchett on other long-term sustainable solutions,” said Johnson.
Coun. Phil Kushnir elaborated on the need for non-emergency medical transportation in the region, and how the current lack of transportation sometimes increases the strain on ambulances.
Coun. David Sharun also commented on how much the ambulances are relied upon to respond to seniors falling, for example.
“We've probably got 10 to 15 falls at the [Bonny]lodge a week, so that's taking our EMS service away because at the lodge we’re not allowed to pick the residents up or help them out, so we have to call EMS, then they have to transport these patients to the hospital. They get a wellness check, then they have to stay or they go back to the [Bonny]lodge,” said Sharun.
Sharun noted that the issue should be looked at with a bigger scope.
