Hastings County Emergency Services is seeking a close-to-four per cent hike in its budget for this year.
At its meeting on Wednesday, Emergency Services approved a 3.6% increase which would bring the budget cost locally to $10 million for 2022.
It includes an enhancement effective September 1.
The enhancement will increase the hours of one of the ambulances that currently operates eight hours a day, five days per week, to 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
This is an increase in ambulance service of 800 hours annually.
Belleville Councillor Chris Malette expressed concern about the number of hours that ambulances have to wait to download patients at the hospitals.
“It’s troubling you know that in 2021 we had 928 hours of down, dead time at the hospital in off-load delays.”
“I’m a little troubled by the fact the provincial funding of $232,140 to cover nursing staffing positions ends at the end of this month. Any indication what are our chances to have that additional funding going forward?” he asked.
Director of Emergency Services and Paramedic Chief Doug Socha says the funding has been highlighted and it affects more services than just the local one.
The committee approved the budget and it goes to County Council for final approval later this month.
The budget goes to county council for approval later this month.
