Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - As of Sunday, August 1st, there will be a 75% cutback in number of paramedics available to the Cortes Island Ambulance Service.
In fact, there won’t be any paramedics available on August 1st, or eleven other days that month.
This is a two person job, but there will only be two paramedics available for 16 of the 62 shifts in August, and service levels will continue at that level.
A full crew is two paramedics; half and half means one paramedic available for half a shift – chart drawn up by Roy L Hales
According to one of the island’s paramedics, who asked to remain anonymous because of the consequences:
“My understanding of the options that remain for sick/injured people when there are not paramedics on call include:
–sending a crew over from Quadra during ferry-running times
-sending a crew from Campbell river by coast guard and having patients meet them at the Manson’s dock if possible.
-sending paramedics by helicopter, who can then access and make use of the ambulance on Cortes (but will have a hard time finding their way)
-the supervisor for Cortes will call off-duty paramedics at home, hoping someone might be available and willing to become an on-duty paramedic. Some paramedics have said they would be willing to do this, sometimes.
“These solutions come with challenges, increased wait times, and they make use of resources that are already probably operating at capacity… The Quadra Island crew is often busy looking after Quadra island residents.”
This is the dark side of the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) enhanced emergency services, which will create more than 170 regular positions across the province – while slashing service levels in more remote communities like Cortes Island, Zeballos, Tahsis and Sayward.
For the past four years, paramedics have been guaranteed at least four hours pay for each of their 12 hour shifts.
This has been abolished. Now paramedics are back to $2 an hour standby pay unless they are called out.
Unfortunately, $2 an hour is not a living wage.
“All the paramedics I have spoken to feel very abused and neglected and rejected by their employer. Many have quit. Others are hanging in there, hoping for change but only doing the minimum that they are committed to. All have found other employment and are engaged in doing what they need to do to look after their needs,” said the anonymous paramedic.
“Those hanging in there have had their trust in the system shattered. It is uncertain whether that trust can ever be rebuilt. That is perhaps the greatest tragedy – good people, giving up while an institution undermines its foundation – the workers – and sacrifices patient care to save some dollars. … All this after one of the toughest years for paramedics around the world and a global awakening to the value of essential workers, perhaps especially in health care.”
What can Cortes residents do?
“Reach out to your local decision-makers,” said the paramedic.
North Island MLA Michele Babchuk is aware of this situation, but could not respond to Cortes Currents request for an interview in time for this broadcast.
Photo credit: The Cortes Island Ambulance Chief during a 2017 exercise - photo by Roy L Hales
