Dozens of ambulances not running due to paramedic labour shortage in Montreal and Laval
Emergency services in Montreal and Laval say there were around two dozen ambulances missing from the roads on the weekend, as the organizations struggle with a severe labour shortage.
Shortly after he retired as a paramedic recently, Hal Newman started tracking the number of ambulances running in the greater Montreal area on any given day.
After posting his findings on social media, he began hearing from paramedics across the province about shortages in their regions.
"It has become abundantly clear to the tune of 30-50 texts a day that the entire pre-hospital care system is dysfunctional," said Newman.
In Montreal and Laval, for example, there were fewer than 30 ambulances in action on the weekend during the overnight shift when normally there are more than 50.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, some paramedics decided to retire, and others burnt out or asked to work less overtime.
"They have been working very hard for the last two years," said Urgences-Sante spokesperson Chantal Comeau. "People are tired, stressed."
Emergency services says there's been no impact on wait times for high-priority calls, and if someone's life is at risk, an ambulance will arrive quickly.
"But of course, it means that if your situation is not urgent, the wait times will be longer," said Comeau. "We do encourage people, if it's not urgent, to call 811 to get medical advice."
Newman is not surprised so many paramedics are getting out of the profession, adding that working so many long shifts makes the work-life balance nearly impossible.
"There just really hasn't been an update to working conditions that meet the new reality of pre-hospital care, which is an aging population, the pandemic, and a very, very large increase in the volume of calls," he said.
Emergency services says it's working to hire more staff and has already hired two dozen new graduates for the summer while it tries to recruit more.
It is also doing more to promote the job.
"It is really a beautiful profession for someone who wants to give back to the community, wants to do a type of work that is really essential and really rewarding," said Comeau.
Newman says the health ministry needs to rethink pre-hospital care, and quickly, so it doesn't continue hemorrhaging staff.
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: Do we have enough paramedics? Chantal Comeau, spokesperson for Urgences-Santé, talks to Ken Connors about the recent shortage of paramedics
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.