It looks like Hastings-Quinte paramedic and ambulance services will cost more in 2021.
The budget was presented to the Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services committee at its virtual meeting on Wednesday.
It sits at $23.3 million.
Hastings County, Belleville, and Quinte West will pick up $9.8 million of that.
This is a 4.3% increase over last year.
Last year an additional ambulance was added to the service in June and this budget reflects a full year for that.
COVID-19 expenses have been covered by the province as well as a Long Term Care support program.
Chief of Paramedic Services Doug Socha told the committee paramedics are dealing with about three psychological cases a day.
“… which is really significant when you start thinking about the number of calls that we’re doing and how that relates. That’s about three a day. There’s lots of other calls more serious, trauma or medical issues that are going on, that have an underlying psychological component to it. Those are not included here.”
Socha added, “It’s really concerning when patients don’t have a medical emergency but they really have no one else to call.”
The budget includes a capital budget of $660,000 and money for a new paramedic base at $950,000.
The budget includes a capital budget of $660,000 and money for a new paramedic base at $950,000.
The design of the base and purchase of land are included.
Construction cost will be in next year’s budget.
This budget also provides services to Prince Edward County at a contract of $2.8 million.
Funding for emergency services in 2021 is shared – municipalities 52% and province 48%.
The budget goes to Hastings County Council for approval later this month.
Other budget items include:
– providing maintenance – $120,000
– medical supplies – $485,000
