Advanced Care Paramedics NB frustrated by government inaction Gallant

"I can not imagine why it takes so long, says Kyle Enright, a paramedic trained to provide advanced health care that works in Miramichi. All other provinces and territories provide these services for 20 years and New Brunswick, for whatever reason, does not seem to be able to implement such a system. "

New Brunswick is the last province in Canada to not to offer advanced care paramedics.
Before the last election that brought him to power, Brian Gallant had issued a press release in which he stated that advanced care paramedics were essential for the New Brunswick health system. It also mentioned that his government would "immediately notify Ambulance New Brunswick to change its contracts."

Questioned about this, the spokesman of the Ministry of Health Bruce Macfarlane said "that the case was under consideration by the government."

Broken promises

The Association of New Brunswick paramedics said that over the past eight years, three governments pledged to integrate advanced care paramedics in the province's health care system.

"There is certainly something that makes sure that the file is stagnant, says Chris Hood, director of the association. I see no sign of hope for the future and I think several paramedics have also lost hope in this folder. "

Chris Hood says that New Brunswick is the only jurisdiction in North America without specialized paramedical and this is a disadvantage for patients.

"Advanced Care Paramedics can give you medication faster than in hospital and reduce or relieve symptoms. "

He adds that New Brunswick has one of the best systems of primary care paramedics in Canada, but that those paramedics can administer only seven or eight medications to treat a patient.

He also said that the types of drugs that can be administered by paramedics in advanced care and expertise are vast.

"We talk, for example, insertion of a tube into the throat of a patient. It is very complex and it is done with surgical capacity, "he said.

Growing frustration

Most advanced care paramedics in the province are increasingly frustrated.