Dealing with provincial cuts to paramedic services

Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services is bracing for budget cuts by the province, and taking steps to have a voice in what changes might be made to the service.

The Emergency Services Committee learned on Thursday that the provincial funding shortfall for this year is $588,000.

CAO Jim Pine told the committee that staff is carefully analyzing the budget and expects to be able to maintain services.

Chief of Paramedic Services Doug Socha has been involved in discussions with the Ministry of Health in recent days and plans to offer some local solutions.

In a letter to Hastings County, Alison Blair, executive director in the ministry office, says, “As always, the County of Hastings should identify operational and administrative efficiencies associated with non-direct programs and services while ensuring the ongoing provision of frontline services that patients rely on every day.”

Blair indicates the emergency service will receive the same amount as last year, $7.9 million.

The committee had set its budget earlier this spring and did not expect the cut.

As Quinte News reported in mid-April the ministry had indicated cutting the 35 emergency services across the province from 35 to ten.

Socha says this is not definite now.

“I’ve been involved with a number of discussions both with the Ontario health teams as well as other stakeholders trying to understand how we can help influence the ministry as it goes forward in this transformational change that they’re proposing.”

The Committee turned down a motion by Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy to write to the province objecting to the cuts.

Chair Karen Sharpe tells Quinte News, “The time may come.”

Sharpe says she would be looking for some “transitional funding” from the province.

Belleville Councillor Chris Malette commented to the committee, “Municipal partners must brace ourselves to eat this cost.”