North Star Health Alliance announces new ambulance service for Carthage, Claxton-Hepburn hospitals

OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (WWTI) – North Star Health Alliance is moving forward with plans to establish a new ambulance service for Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center.

This is to help deal with the critical need for enhanced emergency medical service. The initiative is designed to ensure timely and reliable patient transfers within the region.

According to press release from North Star Health Alliance, “the necessity for additional emergency medical providers has been well-documented by various agencies and highlighted by numerous media reports over the past several years.”

The organization is actively seeking a Certificate of Need from the New York State Department of Health. This certificate will authorize the operation of an ambulance service across the tri counties region, with a primary focus on facilitating inter-facility transfers.

The proposed service will connect patients to and from the alliance’s network of hospitals, medical offices, school-based clinics, and outpatient facilities. Members of NSHA include Carthage Area Hospital, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, North Country Orthopaedic Group, Meadowbrook Terrace, and Rural Health Clinics in Carthage, Canton, Hammond, Madrid, Ogdensburg, Philadelphia, and Waddington.

Additionally, the service will support school-based clinics located at Beaver River Central School, Carthage Middle School, Carthage High School, and LaFargeville Central School.

Our goal is to ensure that patients receive prompt transport to higher levels of care while allowing local volunteer ambulance services to focus on community emergencies. We are committed to supporting the communities we serve, and our new ambulance service will actively participate in county-wide mutual aid plans in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

Dominic Doldo, Vice President of Emergency Services and Security at North Star Health Alliance

North Star Health Alliance anticipates receiving approval from the Department of Health and aims to start services by January 1, 2025.

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