At the annual convention of the Paramedic Service Chiefs of Saskatchewan, concerns were raised about staffing shortages within the province’s emergency medical services (EMS).
During the convention, which was held virtually this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, EMS leaders from across Saskatchewan discussed the challenges they are facing in providing adequate staffing for their services.
According to the Paramedic Service Chiefs of Saskatchewan, the shortage of paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) is a growing concern that is impacting the ability to provide timely and quality care to patients.
One of the main issues highlighted at the convention was the difficulty in recruiting and retaining paramedics and EMTs in rural and remote areas of the province. This is due to a combination of factors, including low wages, long working hours, and the demanding nature of the job.
The shortage of staff has also resulted in increased workloads for existing paramedics and EMTs, leading to burnout and fatigue. This, in turn, can have a negative impact on the quality of care provided to patients.
The Paramedic Service Chiefs of Saskatchewan are calling on the provincial government to address these staffing concerns and provide support to EMS services in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel. They also emphasized the need for increased funding to improve working conditions and wages for paramedics and EMTs.
In response to these concerns, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has stated that they are aware of the staffing challenges and are working to address them. They have also committed to working with the Paramedic Service Chiefs of Saskatchewan to find solutions to the issue.
The shortage of paramedics and EMTs is a serious issue that needs to be addressed in order to ensure the safety and well-being of patients in Saskatchewan. The Paramedic Service Chiefs of Saskatchewan are hopeful that their concerns will be heard and that action will be taken to improve staffing levels in the province’s EMS services.
