British Columbia’s ambulance paramedics union is raising concerns that a program providing in-home health care in rural and remote communities is being quietly phased out.
The Ambulance Paramedics of BC (APBC) allege that B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) has been dismantling the Community Paramedicine program by leaving vacant positions unfilled and diverting funding elsewhere.
Under the program, paramedics visit patients in their home or virtually to perform assessments requested by a health-care professional. That could include blood-pressure checks, monitoring chronic conditions, identifying fall hazards and other services.
The union said 76 of 101 positions established across the province are currently unfilled, with many vacant for more than two years.
It said BCEHS has recently proposed shifting the remaining Community Paramedics toward increased 911 response.
“Community Paramedicine is supposed to prevent the 911 call, not simply provide another person to respond to it,” said APBC President Jason Jackson. “Using them to plug holes in an overwhelmed 911 system is incredibly short-sighted.”
APBC notes that Community Paramedics already assist with serious emergency calls when needed.
The union is calling for a pause on the proposed changes, restoration of the vacant positions and consultation before any fundamental changes are made to the program.
It said the program should be modernized, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of preventative health care and community relationships.
BCEHS executive vice-president and chief ambulance officer Leanne Heppell said in a statement that the Community Paramedicine program is not ending or being dismantled, but said patient and community needs have evolved.
“We are reviewing the model to ensure it remains effective, sustainable and responsive to those changing needs,” said Heppell.
“Our goal is to keep important scheduled, community-based care at the heart of Community Paramedicine, while also ensuring Community Paramedics can support critical patients when they are the closest appropriate resource to an urgent 911 event,” she said.
