Ambulance Service Shortage Possible

Saturday, September 19, 2009 02:27 PM

Prince George, B.C. – The labour dispute between the Province and B.C. Paramedics continues, and today, the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) is urging the public to use the ambulance service wisely this weekend as staffing shortages worsen following statements made by union executives yesterday. The union called on paramedics not to fill shifts as required by the Essential Services Order.

The shortages are impacting the availability of ambulances on the ground and dispatch capacity.

During the night, there was at least a two-hour period when ambulance complement on the lower mainland was down by 30 per cent - including no ambulance crews in Whistler, Hope or Agassiz. Priority will be given to emergency calls, with delays expected for non-emergency calls and inter-facility patient transfer calls.

BCAS is working with its managers and physician advisors to mitigate the staffing shortages, including triaging lower acuity calls and patient transfers, and other measures to ensure patients have the support they need.

To ensure that patients who are seriously ill or have critical injuries receive an ambulance as soon as possible, BCAS is asking people with non-acute conditions to consider alternatives to calling an ambulance such as:

- Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse, dietician or pharmacist;
- Go to a local walk-in health care clinic;
- Visit your general practitioner; or
- Make your own way to the hospital emergency department - arriving in an ambulance does not mean patients will be seen more quickly.

People who are unsure if they need ambulance service are asked to call 8-1-1 first and receive a medical assessment over the phone from a registered nurse. Only approximately 30 per cent of ambulance calls in B.C. require an emergency “lights and siren” response.

BCAS is appealing to paramedics to comply with the Essential Services Order and not let the labour dispute negatively impact patient care.

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Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2009 02:27 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on September 19 2009 3:07 PM

Good, but bad for us the public, I feel for the attendants they deserve to be looked after. After all King Campbell and court don't have a problem giving themselves a cost of living raise, but piss on everyone else.

Posted by: NMG on September 19 2009 3:13 PM

Who needs ambulances? It's just another example of the frivolous government spending that is taking this country to hell in a hand basket.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on September 19 2009 4:56 PM

Well said acrider54!

Posted by: Chester on September 19 2009 6:02 PM

Who needs ambulances? I guess if you have never had an emergency, you wouldn't appreciate the services they provide.

Being a Firefighter and First Responder for over 18 years, I have a different opinion. And I am very sure every single person that I was called to assist would also be extremely grateful for all of the emergency services we have.

There is quite a list of services who are included with the Ambulance service. Fire Departments, Police, Search & Rescue, Highway Rescue, Nurses, Doctors, Walk In Clinics, Emergency Departments, Jail Guards, Security personal and everyone else who is called to help in a time of need.

I for one appreciate and value the services they provide and would identify them as essential services. But, that's just my opinion.

Posted by: MrPG on September 19 2009 6:05 PM

Everybody's got their hands out, but the government is broke and debt is spiralling upwards. Not a good position to be in.

Posted by: RUEZ on September 19 2009 8:43 PM

It's a disgrace that idiot Campbell can give himself and the other pigs at the trough a fat pay raise, but he can't negotiate in good faith with the people that save our lives.

Posted by: NMG on September 19 2009 8:59 PM

I agree with you Chester. I was just using sarcasm to try and make a point to many of the people who are on the "bash everything government" bandwagon lately :)

It's easy to complain about government spending when you don't see an immediate need, however, when it's you needing the ambulance, the nurse to monitor you after the heart attack or the coast guard staff to rescue your butt when at sea, the shoe switches feet pretty quickly . . .

Posted by: bitter on September 21 2009 7:56 PM

I wish when we have to call a Ambulance we could talk to a dispatcher in P.G. It seems there is lots of money for big drug vans to drive around and money for a wellness centre , which should be going in the BIG Native Friendship building, then more money could be spent on essential services.