We need a sustainable solution for paramedic services: Regional councillor

By Phi Doan

Paramedics Services is asking the Region for more funding to deal with increasing call volume.

They hope to hire ten additional paramedics, two supervisors in logistics and planning, along with additional ambulances. However, one regional councillor thinks there must be a better way.

Regional Councillor Sean Strickland told Kitchener Today with Brian Bourke on 570 NEWS, while he isn't against additional funding, he doesn't think it's a sustainable solution.

Over the pass three years, the Region had increased its spending on Paramedic Services by approximately $10 million. The Chief of Paramedic Services is asking for an additional $1.8 million this year.

Strickland says they need solutions that address systematic issues plaguing the service. He points to delays in transferring patients at the hospitals resulting in bottlenecks.

“The bottleneck is such, that we can't get the patients off the stretcher and until they get off that stretcher, they are the responsiblity of the paramedic.”

Which leaves fewer ambulances on the road.

Strickland says the public also has a responsiblity in ensuring ambulances aren't being misused. He wants to see public awareness campaigns to teach people the proper use of calling paramedics

“Cause if you're calling an ambulance and you don't really need it, you are diverting a resource away from someone who may have more serious complaints.”

As a reminder, you will not be able to cut the queue by arriving in an ambulance and a mild cold is not worth calling paramedics.

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