Paramedics to take pressure off hospital ERs

WINNIPEG – It’s designed to ease some of the pressure on Winnipeg ambulances and hospital emergency rooms.

The city, along with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, launched a community paramedic program Tuesday.

Patients with medical needs who don’t necessarily need to go to the emergency room can be treated by paramedics in the field.

They will decided if the patient will need further treatment at the urgent care centre or a community health access centre.

“Over half of all emergency department visits are for non-urgent issues and could be better dealt with in a primary-care setting,” said Scott Fielding, chair of the standing policy committee on protection and community services. “Community paramedicine is an innovative approach that will meet the needs of individuals seeking health care, while leaving emergency ambulances available to respond to critically ill patients in the community.”

“This is another important initiative we’re undertaking in collaboration with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services to help us achieve our patient flow targets by working to ensure patients get the right care in the right place at the right time,” Arlene Wilgosh, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) said.

“The WFPS continues to work in collaboration with the WRHA in exploring and developing new and efficient patient care initiatives in an effort to further improve the unique paramedic service delivery model that has been developed and fostered by both organizations over the last decade,” said Chief Reid Douglas, Winnipeg fire and paramedic chief.  “This latest undertaking is intended to further build on the efficiencies that already exist within our system, to ensure that patients in the community continue to receive the most appropriate pre-hospital medical response and follow-up medical intervention.”

The WRHA said the program will help reduce wait times in hospitals.

A similar program is run at the Main Street Project.