File photo (Image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

AMBULANCE SHORTAGES

Ambulance staffing shortages may persist as paramedics relocate to Kamloops

Jun 9, 2022 | 4:08 PM

KAMLOOPS – Staffing shortages are being felt in emergency care in Kamloops.

On Tuesday night (June 7), just one ambulance was on duty across the city after 2:00 a.m. as the B.C. Emergency Health Services scrambled to find paramedics to fill shifts overnight.

“We need to restore the public’s confidence in the ambulance service and let them know we’re here,” said Troy Clifford, President of the Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of B.C.

While Tuesday was an extreme circumstance, staffing shortages have been an ongoing challenge.

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“I know that there has been some lags in filling those vacancies and then ultimately by the time people get there. But, that’s why you have to be ahead of the curve not reactive. Cause otherwise we are going to continue to see these spikes, and that’s not good for patient care,” said Clifford.

The challenges won’t be fixed tomorrow, but B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) have worked to fill all the vacant posts in Kamloops.

“Overall, Kamloops actually has all of its positions filled. But it does take a bit of time because some of those people are coming for other parts in the province. The positions are filled but the people are necessarily in those lines. The staffing complement in Kamloops will be stabilized over the coming weeks,” said Leanne Heppell, Executive VP and Chief Ambulance Officer, BCEHS.

While Kamloops will soon be fully staffed, the rest of the province will continue to struggle
– as Clifford mentioned retention is not the problem, recruitment is.

“You have to be able to offer something and that’s where we fall short. Our wages and benefits are significantly lower, up to 30 to 40 per cent,” added Clifford.

Last year, the provincial government announced that rural on-call ambulance stations would be staffed full-time moving forward. While it will help the network in the long run, it’s added another hurdle in the short term.

“About 60 per cent of our staff in British Columbia were on call. We’ve now moved that to a permanent staffing complement. So 60 per cent of our paramedic will have regular jobs with full benefit packages,” said Heppell.

“We know that model works, it has kept people in their communities. But unfortunately, what that’s drawn from is our on-call ranks and people have moved around. That has opened up other vacancies,” said Clifford.

With the summer fast approaching, and staff vacations expected, the challenges may persist, at least until the new staff arrives in Kamloops.

“We will make it work, we will draw in, we will do what we did the other night. The paramedics stepped up again the other night,” stated Clifford.