Some rural communities in British Columbia will be receiving more ambulance services as B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is adding paramedic staff to a number of communities.
Elkford is one of eight communities that were upgraded on April 1, 2024 to a new “mix shift” staffing model. The model has staff on duty in the station twice as often as previously, with 16 hours in station on duty and eight hours on call at night. The other communities receiving this model were Anahim Lake, Lytton, Greenwood, Kaslo, New Denver, Riondel and Winlaw.
Other communities within Interior Health received more upgrades to 24/7 full-time service.
Five other communities; Seton Portage, Gold Bridge, Blue river, Edgewood and field will be adding full-time paramedic unit chiefs to support on call paramedics.
“In our many discussions with community leaders in these rural and remote communities we heard how critically important paramedic services are to them,” said Leanne Heppell, BCEHS’ Chief Ambulance Officer. “These improved paramedic staffing models and the increase in full-time and regular part-time positions together with the changes we are making to enhance community paramedicine services are an exciting investment in the health and well-being of our patients in rural and remote British Columbia.”
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is responsible for the delivery and governance of pre-hospital emergency medical care and inter-facility patient transfer services through the BC Ambulance Service and BC Patient Transfer Services.