Paramedic recruitment positive

There’s still be some shortage but there’s good news when it comes to increasing the number of paramedics serving Hastings and Prince Edward counties, including Belleville and Quinte West.

Chief of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services Carl Bowker told the Hastings-Quinte Emergence Services Committee Wednesday that there will be 16 new full-time employees May 1.

The Service has also added 50 new job postings in the past few weeks alone.

“We had over 30 applicants, a lot from other services, a lot from colleges outside the region, looking for full-time jobs here in Hastings so I’m very encouraged by the early results and external recruitment.”

The Paramedic Service recruits constantly as people retire and move away from frontline response and despite the recent hiring, some ambulances weren’t able to be activated as there were no staff available.

Valuable care program will continue

What’s proving to be an effective community healthcare initiative will be continuing for another two years as the province will provide over $3.6 million for the Community Paramedicine for Long Term Care Program.

Wednesday, the chief of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services Carl Bowker told the Hastings County’s Emergency Management Committee that a provincial study has found that the program has lowered emergency department visits by long-term care residents by 10 per cent.

It also ensured that residents on a long-term care waitlist were less likely to see their health deteriorate into a crisis situation.