Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services is struggling with maintaining the “life-saving” ambulance service, while meeting the provincial government’s expected budget cuts.
The EMS committee received a staff report on Thursday, that recommended six cuts to the 2019 budget.
Top of the list is $50,000 which had been designated for a new paramedic base in the Centre Hastings area.
Other measures include maximizing ambulance sales, cutting a proposed app for paramedic psychological training, and the request for proposals for new defibrillators, which were to be replaced in 2020, will be put on hold.
Committee Chair Quinte West Councillor Karen Sharpe tells Quinte News the committee is very concerned.
Early this spring the provincial government announced budget cuts which would have meant a cut of of $588,000 to Hastings-Quinte EMS in 2019.
This was changed in late May to indicate the province would “maintain the in-year cost-sharing adjustments for land ambulance” but local officials are concerned about what could happen next year.
Committee member Belleville Councillor Chris Malette, June 10, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Committee member, Belleville Councillor Chris Malette, said he was troubled that the belt tightening would have to consider defibrillators. “This is such a vital service, cutting close to the bone.”
Chief of Paramedic Services Doug Socha assured the committee that the equipment is inspected every year and goes through a cycle of five or six years.
In connection with the decision to drop the psychological wellness app and the purchase of snow pants for paramedics, Socha said the service puts a lot of attention on the health of paramedics.
He noted some paramedics are not using the psychological sessions in Belleville and they could have used the app.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus is hiring a consultant to investigate options for paramedic services in Eastern Ontario.
Sharpe says “This is about life saving.”
Hastings County CAO Jim Pine told the committee staff will begin thinking about the 2020 budget this fall.
