McBride, B.C. – Both McBride and Valemount  are among the 73 rural and remote communities in B.C.  that will  be part of the  Community Paramedicine Initiative.

The program  provides  enhanced health services  from paramedics .  In the  case of McBride and Valemount,   each community will  receive a  half time equivalent.

Under this program, paramedics will provide basic health-care services, within their scope of practice, in partnership with local health-care providers, delivered in non-urgent settings, in patients’ homes or in the community.

The services provided may include checking blood pressure, assisting with diabetic care, helping to identify fall hazards, medication assessment, post-injury or illness evaluation, and assisting with respiratory conditions.

The paramedics will perform assessments requested by the referring health-care professional, and record their findings for the patient’s file. The enhanced role will not replace care provided by health professionals such as nurses, but will complement and support their work.

The paramedicine program  was first introduced in BC  in nine communities,   and is now expanding province wide including 18 communities  in northern B.C.

Community paramedics are expected to be delivering community health services in Valemount and McBride, this fall.