Increase in ambulance calls

Ambulance calls for other emergencies are ramping up as the COVID-19 pandemic call volume slows down.

At a meeting of Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services Committee on Wednesday, Chief of Emergency Services Doug Socha said, “I think the big thing to note here is that we’re starting again to see increases in our call volume to those pre-COVID, those times when people were calling for emergencies. You’ll see later in my statistical report it’s gone up about 10% from last year which again is creating a lot of work for the paramedics for sure.”

He also reported the Community Medic program continues to be a big success.

“… trying to access the health care system and if we can support them in their homes while they’re there, and keep them there safely. Certainly that’s beneficial for everybody involved.”

Socha added, “I highlight just in the month of September alone we saw more than 200 patients, doing approximately 600 different interactions.  Just really trying to engage them with primary care providers. Keep them safely in their homes.”

Regarding COVID-19 staff vaccinations he said, “We do have a vaccine policy. I’m pleased to report that 97% of paramedics are either fully or partially immunized. Still working through that policy. Really we’ve put some additional effort this past year obviously trying to increase our psychological well-being. We do have a peer support that we’re revamping.”

“There’s always room for improvements on psychological wellness. I think we’re really working hard to try and find different methods.”

Socha also reported there is now an intake provider to make sure paramedics get the help they need for any psychological problems.

“We’ve made some changes there. We do have a specific first responder program designed to help those paramedics see a higher level trained counsellor for those specific trauma-related injuries that they’re finding. But I agree with you, I think it’s been a long road and I think at the same time it’s just a combination of workload as well as the pandemic, call volume and we’re really just trying to find the best way and offer multiple different avenues for paramedics to get better.”