B.C. changes up ambulance staffing for rural communities in bid to boost emergency care

British Columbia is shifting its ambulance paramedics staffing model for 60 rural and remote communities in what Health Minister Adrian Dix says is an "unprecedented" investment in emergency health care.

Dix says three new staffing models for paramedics would increase the number of on-duty ambulance workers during nights and other off-peak times.

The shift will add 261 new full-time paramedic positions and part-time workers whose combined hours will equal 238 full-time workers for three separate models that will give flexibility for ambulance needs in each community.

Dix says the changes come after consultations with the province's paramedics union, community leaders, First Nations and health-care professionals.

B.C. Emergency Health Services chief ambulance officer Leanne Heppell says the flexibility is needed because "one model just doesn't work that well across the province," given the differences in the communities' population, demographics and overall demand.

Dix says B.C. needs more community paramedics and ambulance workers, and he urged those interested in the work to reach out while the province hires staff to fill the demand.

More full-time paramedics

Under the new model, called 24/7 Alpha, 21 communities will have at least eight full-time paramedics, with staff on-duty 24 hours a day. 

There will also be a mix shift model, which will have eight regular part-time staff on-duty for 16 hours a day, with the remaining eight hours on-call.

The third new model is known as an on-call shift, which will have a full-time unit chief and on-call staff.

The communities transitioning to these new models are as follows:

24/7 Alpha:

1. Gabriola Island
2. Gold River
3. Quadra Island
4. Boston Bar
5. Bowen Island
6. Bella Coola
7. Maderia Park
8. Clinton
9. Logan Lake
10. Lumby
11. Alexis Creek
12. Midway
13. Fruitvale
14. Salmo
15. McBride
16. Mackenzie
17. Village of Daajing Giids
18. Masset
19. Dease Lake
20. Fraser Lake
21. Tumbler Ridge

Mix shift:

1. Alert Bay
2. Mayne Island
3. Pender Island
4. Port Renfrew
5. Galiano Island
6. Sayward
7. Tahsis
8. Ucluelet
9. Cortes Island
10. Denman Island
11. Port Alice
12. Bella Bella
13. Texada
14. Anahim Lake
15. Lytton
16. Elkford
17. Greenwood
18. Kaslo
19. New Denver
20. Riondel
21. Rossland
22. Winlaw
23. Granisle
24. Southside
25. Hudson's Hope

On-call shift:

1. Sointula
2. Zeballos
3. Seton Portage
4. Gold Bridge
5. Blue River
6. Edgewood
7. Field
8. Bear Lake
9. Wells
10. Stewart
11. Port Clements
12. Kitwanga
13. Sandspit
14. Atlin