Sask. paramedics call for changes to Ambulance Act to cope with increased workload, pressures
Saskatchewan paramedics are calling for the province’s Ambulance Act to be updated – as the first responders claim their profession is the last to be looked at when addressing health care issues.
Representatives for paramedics across the province attended the legislature on Tuesday to share their concerns.
“We are an important piece of health. We just want to be seen that way so it’s coming here telling our stories,” said Paul Hills, the president of the Saskatoon Paramedic Association.
Hills said that emergencies trump employment standards and it’s taking a toll on paramedics.
Calls for revising the Ambulance Act are rising.
“911, my job is to answer 911. Whenever someone calls I respond to that,” Hills explained. “So that’s an emergency for someone. That might trump my ability to get off on time to see my family, that might even affect my ability to have a meal break throughout the day. We have paramedics in the province going twelve hours without time off task.”
Another major concern for paramedics is workload.
“Just this weekend when I was working, there were six, seven, eight calls waiting in the cue while we’re also sitting in the hospital for three, four, five, six, seven hours,” Hills said. “In my 36 hours working this weekend alone – I personally was looking after patients for about 27 of those hours in the hallway.”
Saskatoon is not alone with its concerns. Severe issues also exist in Regina, according to EMS logs obtained by the Saskatchewan NDP through Freedom of Information requests.
Opposition MLA Matt Love read several logs to reporters following question period. One log from Sept. 30 revealed that eight of nine available ambulances were tied up at the city’s two hospitals for an extended period of time.
“From September 30th, [I] quote, ‘Old bad, long as eight hours at one point. Six of my nine units were tied up at the General. Six of nine, two more tied up at Pasqua, eight of nine units tied up.”
Health Minister Everett Hindley says that help for paramedics is on the way.
“In February, we announced $2.4 million for 24.5 full time equivalent paramedic positions here in the City of Regina to staff two additional ambulances and two additional paramedic response units,” he said during question period.
Paramedics plan to tell their story whenever they can – including at the legislature – which holds the power to revise the Ambulance Act and makes the changes paramedics feels are necessary.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.