Alberta Health Services (AHS) has decided to waive a $400 bill that was sent to a local couple after an ambulance was called to treat them while they were already staying in an Edmonton hospital.
Erin Schmidt and Steven Leckie were in a room at the Royal Alexandra after the birth of their daughter. Leckie had suffered a diabetic seizure, but instead of taking the man down to the emergency room, hospital staff called an ambulance to take care of the situation.
By the time paramedics arrived to the room, hospital staff had given Leckie a glucose pill. Paramedics then took him down to the emergency room where his blood was checked and then he was free to leave.
The couple then received a $400 bill even though Leckie never set foot inside an ambulance.
The pair lodged a complaint hoping the bill would be waived.
Alberta Health Services board chairman Ken Hughes said Thursday the couple will not be on the hook for the bill.
Alberta Health Services has admitted this case is not common and paramedics rarely respond to emergencies inside hospitals. But it has said there are times when this type of situation could occur and that it also depends on where in the hospital an emergency happens.
