Hike in emergency transfers to hospital

Statistics for Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services show there’s been an increase in the number of people being transported to hospital in the Quinte area this year.

There is a seven per cent increase in the number of patients being transported to hospital in January – February compared to the first two months of last year.

A report to Quinte Emergency Services Committee on Wednesday shows industry projections continue to indicate a call volume increase of five to 10 per cent over last year.

Chief of Hastings Quinte Paramedic Services Carl Bowker reported the increase to the committee on Wednesday:

“The first two months of 2023 have seen some welcome relief from rising call volumes and response times have levelled off or improved in some regions. While call volume may have decreased, there has been a 7% increase in the number of patients being transported to hospital compared to the first two months of last year. Industry projections continue to indicate a call volume increase of 5-10% over last year.

“Ultimately, it’s early days, and difficult to draw too many conclusions at this stage.

“The service also continues to recruit part-time staff. Fifteen part-time staff will be onboarded in the next few months with an estimated need of fifteen more to help meet our growing needs.

“We are once again starting to experience ambulance downstaffing, particularly on weekends, and there has been a sharp decrease in approved vacation requests heading into the summer.”

Total call volume January February  … .6,375

Response Times – Year to Date