NDP Health critic France Gélinas is calling for a provincial task force to address shortages of ambulances and dangerous wait times that communities across the province are experiencing.
“This afternoon I’ll be tabling a motion directing the Government of Ontario to put in place an all-party task force with legislators, representation from the ministries of health, long-term care, and municipal affairs, municipalities, and paramedic unions,” said Gélinas. “This committee will be directed to make recommendations within one year, for funding, training, recruitment, and retention. We need to act now; in a medical emergency seconds count and Ontarians are already waiting too long.”
Rob Moquin, Unifor National Service Representative stated “Paramedics across Ontario, especially in northern communities, are stretched to their limits. The chronic staffing shortages, long hours, and lack of mental health support are driving skilled paramedics out of the profession."
“Ontario has been tracking paramedic response times and paramedic performance plans for the past ten years and the data is not trending in favour of our patients," added Joel Usher Chair of the OPSEU/SEFPO Ambulance Division. For the sake of all those we care for, Ontario needs more highly skilled paramedics staffing more patient-transporting ambulances”
“Everyone in Ontario should be able to get an ambulance when they need one. But the reality is, in a life-threatening emergency, there might not be anyone available to help," said .Niko Georgiadis, Chair of CUPE’s Ambulance Committee. "The root of this problem is a staffing crisis among paramedics, but Doug Ford and the PCs won’t act to fix it."
Advanced Care Paramedic Stephen Adlington from County of Lambton EMS added “I am angry that this crisis has been considered ok for too long - that stress, burnout, addiction, and suicide are just seen as occupational hazards. This ugly reality means fewer paramedics to respond to public emergencies. Response times are longer when we can’t keep frontline paramedics. A quicker response could mean the difference between a full recovery, a life-altering injury or even death."
Gélinas’ motion will be tabled this afternoon.
