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Yvonne Jones, MHA for the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair and
Opposition Critic for Health and Community Services, says it is time for
government to establish a more balanced system for rural ambulance operators
in this province, so that the conditions they operate under are brought in
line with government paramedics. Jones questioned government yesterday in
the House of Assembly on its intention to address some of the inequities and
problems identified by rural paramedics, which would at least place them on
an even keel with those ambulances operated by government.
"The private ambulance industry in our province is in a very unacceptable
state and it is time that this government stepped in and carried out a
complete overhaul of this sector of our medical services," states Jones. "We
have rural paramedics who are enduring very long shifts, which is stressful
and tiring, but they are also not receiving any additional benefits."
Jones cited the example of a young paramedic who worked a full day
responding to emergencies and was then placed on call for 24 hours. "She
left her home in Conception Bay, travelled to St. John’s, picked up a
patient, transported her to St. Anthony and then returned home. This
paramedic was not provided overnight accommodations from her employee and no
extra benefits were offered. It is simply not acceptable by any standard.
"Quite often, as well, many of these paramedics who are rural based have
no medical control. They are not equipped to be able to provide proper care
when a patient requires an IV or a defibulator, without first calling in for
on-line medical control. With the inconsistency in rural cellular services
and frequent miscommunications with radios, it all adds up to a chaotic and
sub-standard health care service. In the House of Assembly, I called upon
government to address this problem by establishing a position to regulate
and authorize paramedics for medical control.
"Government is in a fiscal position to be able to address these extreme
problems related to proper wage compensation, better working conditions and
enhanced medical benefits. It time for a major review and an overhaul of our
ambulance system so that health care services in this province are fully
functional and responsive."
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