By Norman Galimski, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Lack of paramedics in Sandspit is causing community concern after being left without the emergency service for three days from Oct. 15 to 17. This is not the first time the community has been left without their own ambulance service, Evan Putterill, North Coast Regional District director of Moresby Island, said.
Continue reading Ambulance service changes coming to Haida GwaiiThe outlook for rural ambulance services within the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has greatly improved, several directors agreed. Others require more information.
Continue reading Support for Rural Paramedics improved but SRD wants to meet with BCEHSCKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Earlier this month, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) initiated a staffing model designed to ensure that small rural communities like Cortes Island have four scheduled on-call (SOC) paramedics.
“The SOC model means shifts can be fully scheduled without waiting for availability of on-call paramedics. SOC shifts are, in general, 8 hours at work, and 16 hours on-call for 3 day rotations,” Sarah Morris, BCEHS media relations, said in an email to CKTZ News. “These additional positions were posted the week of Aug 6, and BCEHS is following the recruitment process as per the collective agreement with the paramedics’ union.”
Local on-call staff will be recruited as required to provide relief coverage for leaves and vacations.
Continue reading Cortes Island and rural coastal communities to receive more paramedicsBC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is trying to ensure that there are sufficient paramedics in rural communities throughout the province.
In a leaked memo from Chief Ambulance Officer Leanne Heppell and Troy Clifford, Provincial President of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC, dated August 6th, BCEHS notified its employees and Local 873 members of two changes of great importance to Cortes Island, Sayward, Tahsis and Zeballos.
Continue reading Better pay for paramedics in rural communitiesCKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Green party MLA Adam Olsen has been listening to calls for a better ambulance service since he was first elected 2017. The need became even more apparent after 808 people died during the last five days of June. 75% of them are believed to have perished because of the heat wave that stuck the province. A large number were allegedly waiting for ambulances that arrived too late.
Continue reading The need for a better ambulance service
