The Hastings/Quinte Emergency Services Committee has approved a recommendation to Hastings County Council that they enter into an agreement with Breakwater Institute to provide short-term psychological support and peer-support training in order to help support the mental health and well-being of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services.
According to a report from Paramedic Chief and Director of Emergency Services, Carl Bowker, the program offered by Breakwater Institute would work in conjunction with the current peer support team to help give them the opportunity to reach out to paramedics in need of support services.
After a critical incident, paramedics will be eligible to receive up to three virtual appointments with a psychologist at a cost of $250 per session.
Budgetary impact is estimated to be between $25,000 and $75,000 to Hastings County.
Hastings County Council will look at the recommendation at a future meeting.
