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 LobbyingPAM Urges Winnipeg's Mayoral Candidates to Address Amalgamation Issues Oct 18, 2006 The Paramedic Association of Manitoba has delivered a message to Winnipeg's four Mayoral candidates...Winnipeg emergency medical services system is in trouble and needs their immediate attention following the October 25th civic election. Letter to Candidates Oct 20, 2006 In his reply to PAM's correspondence asking Winnipeg Mayoral candidates to reconsider the current fire/paramedic amalgamation, Mayor Sam Katz defends the staus quo. His reply can be read here . The Paramedic Association of Manitoba responded to Katz's letter . Press Release issued regarding Katz position. Oct 23, 2006 Winnipeg Mayoral candidate Marianne Cerilli vows to review fire/paramedic amalgamation if elected. Press release . Oct 23, 2006 Kaj Hasselriis responds to candidate letter. PAM Delivers Recommendations to Manitoba's 57 MLAs The Paramedic Association of Manitoba delivered recommendations on two key initiatives to Manitoba's 57 Legislative Members during EMS Awareness Week. The information packages received by all Manitoba MLAs on May 17th outlined PAM's position on the concepts of paramedic self-regulation and a province-wide EMS delivery model, and asked each member of the legislature to support these recommendations. A generic version of the cover letter and the recommendation papers are available here for viewing. Cover Letter Manitoba PC Leadership Candidates Respond to PAM Questionnaire All three of the Manitoba PC Leadership candidates have replied to the PAM questionnaire asking them for their views on issues related to emergency medical services in the province. The responses from each are shown below. Do you consider pre-hospital emergency medical treatment to be an essential health service?
Schuler: I believe that the provincial government must improve the way that ambulance service is supplied to all Manitobans, including the City of Winnipeg, by utilizing technologies such as GPS in conjunction with a Medical Transportation Co-ordination Centre (MTCC). A province wide delivery system will ensure that patients receive the nearest appropriate ambulance in the least amount of time. Waddell: Yes, I believe pre-hospital medical treatment is an essential health service. All Manitobans should expect timely emergency care and transport.
McFadyen: Yes, I agree that pre-hospital emergency treatment is an essential health service, and that all Manitobans deserve reasonable access to timely and appropriate emergency medical care and treatment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Manitoba has eleven Regional Health Authorities, and as such eleven distinct and different philosophies regarding service delivery and standards for emergency medical services. Many other provinces have opted for a province-wide delivery system to ensure more consistent, effective and efficient emergency medical health services to all residents.
Schuler: It is important that all paramedics are to be trained in a consistent fashion across the province and that the “Regional Health Authorities of Manitoba” (RHAM) would manage the provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) delivery system. This does not mean that employees would lose their current position only that the “RHAM” would mange the EMS system. Waddell: The administration and operation should be under one authority in Manitoba. While there needs to be obvious coordination of service with the RHAs the overall administration should be under one authority. I would launch an immediate ( and short) review of where we are now with strict instructions that we get under one administrative authority in the very near future. That it hasn't happened is somewhat disturbing.
McFadyen: As Premier, it will be a priority of my government to deliver all services in a fast, effective and efficient manner. With respect to emergency medical services, a McFadyen government will be open to considering any option that can be demonstrated to provide better, more consistent care for Manitobans in a cost effective manner. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Funding for emergency medical services in Manitoba has improved in the past few years. Staffing levels in rural Manitoba have increased, the government has undertaken to replace all land ambulances with new fleet vehicles and the proposed Medical Transportation Coordination Centre is expected to be in operation later this year. However, studies indicate that timely and appropriate treatment for many medical emergencies (heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, respiratory emergencies) can reduce morbidity and significantly improve patient outcomes, potentially saving healthcare dollars in many other areas.
Schuler: Funding levels need to be brought into line with the current rates of inflation so we can ensure that our Paramedics receive the necessary training and equipment to assist with the delivery of pre-hospital emergency care. Waddell: Our paramedics must have the highest possible uniform across the province training and funding. In fact the only way many rural and northern hospitals and nursing stations can function is if paramedics are on staff. Many rural communities will lose their hospitals and many have already lost some services because the staffing isn't available (ie doctors, nurses, diagnosticians, specialists etc. In order to maintain any semblance of medical or economic viability our smaller centres must have a strong paramedic component. It's the only way to go for many centres.
McFadyen: I believe we can make more effective use of budget dollars across the health care system, as the present government has increased health budgets with no discernable improvement in overall care standards for Manitobans. We must pursue more innovative methods of service delivery and management across the health care system. Pre-hospital emergency treatment can play a vital role in improving patient care and controlling costs, and a McFadyen government --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Paramedics are health care professionals and recognize we have a responsibility to the health care system and our patients. The Paramedic Association of Manitoba promotes minimum standards for entry to practice consistent with nationally recognized competency profiles, continuous professional development and ethical practice and behaviour. As such, paramedics should be recognized, as most other allied health professions, through legislated self-regulation.
Schuler: EMS is one of the most important links in the chain of survival, the training and the services that they are able to offer in a pre-hospital setting can, at times, determine the outcome for the survival of patients in their care. A self-regulating body that is similar to the organizations for RN’s and MD’s is essential in ensuring that our Pre-Hospital Professionals have a body that will ensure for the very best training and ethical practices in Manitoba. Waddell: I would support immediate self-regulation of paramedics in Manitoba.
McFadyen: I would be open to exploring the option of self-regulation for paramedics together with the Paramedics Association of Manitoba, the Regional Health Authorities and the City of Winnipeg. PAM Challenges Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leadership Candidates The Paramedic Association of Manitoba has asked the three PC Manitoba leadership candidates for their views on issues related to emergency medical services in the province. Provincial PC leadership candidates Hugh McFadyen, Ron Schuler and Ken Waddell have been asked to respond to our questions by April 10, 2006, and their replies will be posted on our web site at that time. The Conservative leadership convention will take place on April 29th in Winnipeg.
PAM Replies to Schuler EMS Policy On March 27, 2006, Manitoba PC leadership Candidate Ron Schuler released a policy statement concerning the future of Manitoba's emergency medical services system.
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| Manitoba Paramedics...Responding for Life! | ||
