Waterloo region can't keep relying on neighbouring paramedics during code reds: Union
Waterloo region has experienced more than 50 'code reds' in January alone
Waterloo region's paramedic services have been stretched thin over the past few months, so much so it has to rely on the help of neighbouring communities to meet local demand, the union that represents paramedics says.
So far this year, Waterloo region has seen over 50 situations of "code red," which means there are no ambulances available, says Luke McCann, president of Cupe 5191.
McCann told CBC News the region often relies on the help from EMS in Perth County and Guelph and Brant County.
"This is becoming on the regular that we depend on these surrounding services and it's not responsible at all," he said.
On Friday, paramedic services in Perth county had to provide the region with three of its five ambulances to help meet demand, forcing Perth EMS to increase staffing levels. The neighbouring regions have to provide the ambulances through the "seamless service agreement mandated by the Ministry of Health," he said.
"That puts a lot of pressure" on these other areas, McCann said.
A paramedic services master plan being presented on Tuesday at the region's community services committee is asking for additional resources, which includes two 12-hour ambulances and 12 additional staff.
<a href="https://twitter.com/ROWParamedics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ROWParamedics</a> Perth county Paramedics lost 3 of 5 ambulances to cover the region of Waterloo, not fair to our tax payers, time to put more ambulances on the road <a href="https://t.co/MqHIfvCaHG">https://t.co/MqHIfvCaHG</a>
—@CUPE4514More work needs to be done
Regional Coun. Sean Strickland, who is also chair of the region's budget committee, says the region has invested $10 million dollars in paramedic services since 2016 to hire more staff and add more ambulances.
But he says more work needs to be done between the hospitals, Local Health Integration Networks (LHINS) and the Ministry of Health to solve the issue.
"We get more paramedics, more ambulances on the road and our off-load delay numbers go down, our code red numbers go down and then in one or two years we're right back where we started," Strickland told CBC News.
Strickland said for the 2019 budget, the region is looking to give $1.2 million dollars to paramedic services and hire 10 more paramedics and two supervisor positions.
However, McCann said he believes the region keeps playing catch up on the issue. Focusing on off-load delays is just part of the over all problem and that region needs more ambulances on the road, he argues.
"We are now four to five 24-hour ambulances short that we should have to function at a level that is acceptable," he said.
Strickland said the region often follows the paramedic services master plan, but will also make adjustments over time if necessary.