A significant number of ambulances are now sitting empty, and BCEHS says it’s because staffing levels are approaching critical levels.
According to The Union of BC Paramedics – CUPE 873, BCEHS has refused to schedule overtime on several occasions which has affected response times across the province and put people needing medical attention at risk.
Union president Jason Jackson says they’ve tried to negotiate with the province and several health agencies, but so far it has fallen on deaf ears.
“Our members are reporting dozens and dozens of ambulances across the province sitting empty when they show up for work, and it’s not getting any better,” he says. “We’ve tried to engage with BCEHS, PHSA and the government, and they still seem hesitant to admit we are reaching critical staffing levels again.
“We know we have hundreds of open and unfilled positions in the province, and they can be staffed well in advance. There is just no reason to wait to the last minute to start calling people to come in.”
According to a media release, BCEHS put new overtime bans in place starting on Jan. 1 to help cut costs in the face of a significant budget deficit, and that has contributed to the staffing emergency.
“Our low acuity calls are waiting longer than ever, and BCEHS’ deployment changes are hurting patients,” the release says. “We’re hearing patients are sitting for hours on the floor, or with first responders when they need to be transported to hospital by paramedics.
“Now is not the time to cut front-line services.”
According to the release, the government has still refused to change the policy.
