EMS response times down, but only slightly

Response times for EMS have improved in Alberta.

That's according to a 90-day update on the provincial government's Health Care Action Plan.

But it depends on where you live.

Response times in urban areas have dropped from 21.8 minutes to 17 minutes.

In communities with more than 3,000 residents, times are down from 21.5 minutes to 19.2.

In rural communities where there are fewer than 3,000 residents you'll still be waiting more than a half-hour at 34.9 minutes, down slightly from 36 minutes.

Health Minister Jason Copping says more ambulances have been available, meaning that red alerts, where no ambulance is available has been substantially reduced in Edmonton, down 92 per cent and in Calgary, down 60 per cent.

Copping says since they started triaging 911 calls in January more than 1,600 calls have been transferred to Health Link registered nurses.

He says the good news is wait times are trending in the right direction.