B.C. introduces new ambulance staffing models for small communities
Posted November 9, 2023 6:11 pm.
B.C. is making changes to how its ambulance service is staffed in the smaller communities outside of large urban centres.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says this change aims to improve service for communities, while also giving paramedics a better work-life balance.
Dix explains there will be three new models for 60 B.C. communities to transition to, the first being a 24/7 model for 21 of the province’s larger communities — including Bowen Island.
He says this will triple the on-duty hours of the current ambulance call model.
The second model will operate in 25 communities, according to Dix, including Lytton, Galiano, and Port Renfrew. He says this “mixed shift” model will ensure staff have more flexibility and don’t have to be on call for 24 hours, but communities will still have twice as many staff on duty.
“That will allow staff in this community to meet needs on a busier day but be on call at night to stick to the work-life balance they’ve asked for.”
He says staff working this model will be on duty for 16 hours or on call for eight hours.
The third and final model announced by Dix is intended for the smallest communities and will see a full-time unit chief brought in, to keep ambulance staff from having to be on call for 72 hours straight, as they do now.
