Health Minister Terry Lake issued the following statement in recognition of Paramedic Services Week, May 25 - 31, 2014:

“British Columbia’s paramedics are an integral part of provincial health-care teams and deliver a wide range of emergency medical services including patient transfer, 9-1-1 response, and emergency services. They are also the vital initial contact patients have with our health-care system in times of crisis or emergency.

“Our province’s over 3,800 paramedics respond to over 500,000 calls every year providing life-saving treatment and transportation for more than 4.4 million B.C. residents in urban, rural and remote regions throughout the province.

“Paramedics’ skills and training make them well-suited for a variety of patient-care settings. We are exploring new roles for paramedics in patients’ homes and communities. In most cases, paramedics already have the skills and our government wants to make sure that they have as much professional opportunity as possible as we move to new innovative patient-care models in all regions of the province.

“The recent tentative, five-year contract with health-care workers, including paramedics, will enable them to better utilize their skills and expand their career opportunities.

“Once the agreement is ratified, we will work with paramedics to develop these and other opportunities for them to perform an expanded role in our health system in communities throughout the province. This is part of an increased focus on patient-centred care and will reduce 9-1-1 calls, visits to the emergency room - and will utilize the skills of paramedics in areas that can be rewarding for paramedics and patients.

“B.C.’s paramedics are health professionals with much to offer the overall health-care system. Finding innovative ways to use their skills will allow for better health-care options - and better career opportunities for paramedics themselves.

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)