The County of Renfrew has received an in depth report on Paramedic Services. At the county council meeting last week (Feb. 26th) staff and elected representatives were told about some of the challenges local paramedics are facing by ApexPro consultant Marvin Rubenstein. The Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus tasked Rubenstein to look paramedic services in the region following changes announced last year by the provincial government that would see a reduction from 59 to 10 paramedic services. Rubenstein says in Renfrew County we have higher than average ambulance call volumes with most people waiting 18 minutes for an ambulance due to the increase in distance between calls. Rubenstein adds hospital offload delays must be addressed, dispatch needs to be fixed and the province should properly fund community paramedicine programs.
The report highlighted the fact that despite emergency department visits declining, hospital offload times have increased to 21,000 hours per year at a cost of $4.8-million. Rubenstein pointed out a direct connection between the aging at home strategy implemented by the province and an increased workload on paramedics. It was also revealed that in Renfrew County 60% of calls come in as medical emergencies meaning ambulances are going out with lights flashing and sirens on, however when they arrive only 22% are found to be of high urgency. Chief Paramedic Mike Nolan says this is a result of the equipment available to dispatchers.
The County of Renfrew Paramedic Service was credited for the community paramedicine program with over 1,300 enrolled clients who receive regular interactions, assessments and referrals. Nolan says this program effectively reduces 911 calls and trips to the hospital. The review showed that paramedics in Eastern Ontario deliver efficient, effective and innovative services and that governance changes are not the solution to the challenges they face. The report says hospital offload delays must be addressed, dispatch needs to be fixed and the province should properly fund community paramedicine programs.
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