Local paramedics caught off guard as province looks at merging ambulance services

Concerns are being raised as the Ford government looks at merging ambulance services in Ontario.

Premier Doug Ford said that no firm decisions have yet been made, but 'guaranteed' the move will not result in fewer paramedics.

Waterloo NDP MPP Catherine Fife was on Kitchener Today with Brian Bourke on 570 NEWS on Wednesday.

She said she's not surprised by the move, but many were. 

“If you've ever had to call 911, you know how important that dispatcher is. So I think when the government cut the 35 public health units down to 10 – people were reeling from that on Monday. And then to find out there will also be a similar reduction to ambulance services across the province, with no consulations, generally did surprise people.”

When it comes to speculation that the province plans to centralize the dispatch centres, Fife said there's simply no clarity on that issue at this time.

“Even the municipalities .. to their credit, across the province they contribute about $720-million, so that's our tax dollars as citizens going into ambulance services. The province for their part contribute about $580-million – but the municipalities weren't consulted at all.”

Fife said there's already been some ongoing issues in Waterloo Region. 

“When the Cambridge dispatch was relocated to Hamilton, we saw some issues with ambulances being late to certain locations, and not having the technology at the dispatch in Hamilton to locate people. My concern at first glace at this plan is the larger the regional area is for dispatch, without the proper infrastructure and resources and technology, there is the risk of not being able to respond in a timely manner. For any of us who have had to call for an ambulance – we know time is of the essence.”

Fife said she'll continue to advocate for Waterloo Region to take control of our local ambulance dispatch system.

“We believe that the local level of government knows their community best. It's a very accountable measure for citizens as well, if that service is not meeting the needs of the community then you have locally elected politicians that you can lobby and raise concerns to.”

Meantime, Chief Stephen Van Valkenburg with Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services has released a statement.

You can read it below.

“The Region of Waterloo was informed late Monday evening by the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs that the Province of Ontario intends to reduce the number of Paramedic Services in Ontario from the current 52 to 10. This is similar to the announcement late last week regarding the reduction of Public Health Units from 35 to 10. This was not an anticipated change in direction for Paramedic Services.

I will be continuing to engage and discuss this matter with the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC) Board and gather as much information as possible to better understand what the provincial government's intent is with regards to consolidation.

Currently the work Paramedics do in the Region of Waterloo each day is important and valued by our residents. We are committed to continuing this work and to providing excellence in patient care to everyone in our community who requires Paramedic Services.”

with files from the Canadian Press