Funding from the province aims to reduce local hospital offloading times

Local paramedics got a boost to their funding that they think will help reduce hospital offloading times and address some of the increased costs for service delivery.

Region of Waterloo paramedic services is getting a 15 per cent increase in the land ambulance grant from the province, bringing the total investment to $26,922,856.

MPP Mike Harris made the announcement during a press conference on Sept. 24. He also announced another investment of $1.5 that will come out of the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program from the province.

Chief of the region’s paramedic services, John Riches, said those investments will help to reduce offload times at hospital emergency departments and address some increased costs associated with delivering services.

“When you compare the first quarter of the year to this quarter, we’re seeing an improvement of about 45 minutes of the 90 percentile. That’s really significant when we transport thousands of people to local hospitals, getting that 45 minutes back really does put time back in the system,” he said. “For the Dedicated Offload Nurse Program, it is a program that’s significant, the investment reduces offload times in the hospital.”

Riches mentioned they’ve seen metrics improve in other areas like response times and a reduction in paramedics working overtime.

“What’s not lost on me is that at the end of the day, the funding and all these things are really important, but what matters the most is our staff who are delivering the service to our community,” he noted.

Riches said the investments into paramedic services helps them provide great care while being able to go home happy and healthy.

Regional Chair Karen Redman during the announcement said paramedic services are one of the biggest issues she hears from people while out campaigning for regional council.

“Between Cambridge Memorial, St. Mary’s General and Grand River Hospitals, this program enables our paramedic crews to get back out on the road quickly so they can respond to 911 calls. And I have to tell you from the seat I sit in, this is a system response and I’m so happy to see all three hospitals represented here today because it impacts the lives and quality of life we represent,” said Redman.