This week, health minister Sarah Hoffman and MLA Debbie Jabbour, visited Points West Living to talk to a resident and her community paramedic. The community paramedic program originally started in Edmonton and Calgary. After being so successful, it was rolled out to other communities throughout the province, starting in the Peace Region earlier this year.
Hoffman notes that one of the problems that comes with an aging population is getting them care that is accessible and efficient. The program allows residents in the region the ability to get care without spending hours waiting in the emergency room. She says “we’ve been able to work with paramedics to bring the types of treatments that would often happen for those most frequent calls to the patient in their own home, rather than have them move to a hospital. So, it keeps our ambulances on the road because the paramedics come in a different vehicle that has the right tools for the call.” Community paramedics can give IVs on site, take blood pressure and do lab work with the consultation of a physician over the phone. Hoffman says the program alleviates stress for patients.
Anne Kuran is a recipient of the community paramedic program at Points West Living. Kuran has congestive heart failure and the medication that her community paramedic, Tyne Lunn, gives her saved her life. Lunn says she has answered nearly 100 calls since the program began in March. She travels within a 50 km radius of Peace River to administer care. Lunn says that although senior residents make the majority of who the calls are from, she also cares for young people who just can’t get to a hospital.
Lunn says that she finds the job “very fulfilling.” Lunn has taken the time to get to know Anne and does her nails when she visits to administer care every two weeks. Hoffman adds “that’s one of the really nice things about the community program is that you can build relationships too. You’re not just always rushing into emergencies and you can take the time.”
Lunn is the only community paramedic in Peace River but says they are looking to hire a second as soon as they can find someone who is the right fit.
-LG
