Paramedic Services Week

 On May 25th, I spoke in response to a Ministerial Statement on Paramedic Services Week.  My remarks are below.  

Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Deputy Speaker, first and fore­most, a big thank you to all paramedics in Manitoba on this week, Paramedic Services Week, and indeed, on every week.

Paramedics do incredible work, often under very challenging circumstances. This is true for all para­medics, but is particularly true for paramedics work­ing in rural areas, where the longer distances mean more actively involvement in care during transport, and sporadic emergency room closures add to the problems.

      The development of community paramedicine has been positive, but it still has some way to go. For example, there is still no access to community paramedicine in Camperville, in spite of the need.

      There is a province-wide shortage of paramedics which has not been addressed, despite the present government having had seven years to act.

      Medicine, and in particular paramedicine, is not a static discipline. Treatments and supports, including social supports, are changing all the time, and ongoing continuing education and training is essential to pro­viding optimal help to individuals in difficulty. Training for work in rural areas has additional challenges.

      There are opportunities to improve, such as en­abling quicker handover of patients when para­medics arrive in emergency rooms and addressing com­munication gaps for existing communication systems in some rural areas. Better training in handling those who are elderly, especially those who have some level of dementia, is also im­por­tant, as many who are being transported and require special care are elderly.

      To sum it up: thank you, thank you, thank you, all paramedics in Manitoba. The work you do every day is essential. We thank you for your ability to be emer­gency respon­ders in very tragic and difficult circum­stances and we ap­pre­ciate your efforts.

      Merci. Miigwech. Thank you.