Certain rural and remote communities in B.C. will be welcoming a community paramedicine program after an announcement by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday.
Clearwater and Blue River are two of the 73 communities that will receive the program which will offer enhanced health services from paramedics.
Paramedics will be able to provide basic health-care services in partnership with local health-care providers, delivered in non-urgent settings, in patients’ homes or in the community. The role will not replace care provided by health professionals such as nurses, but will assist in their work.
The services may include blood pressure, assisting with diabetic care, helping to identify fall hazards, medication assessment, post-injury or illness evaluation, and assisting with respiratory conditions.
“Residents of Clearwater and Blue River are big beneficiaries of this program, which greatly expands the responsibilities of paramedics in rural areas,” said Terry Lake, Health Minister and Kamloops-North Thompson MLA. “The Community Paramedicine Initiative is a key component of our plan to improve access to primary health-care services in rural areas. By building upon the skills and background of paramedics, we are empowering them to give greater access to care for people who live in rural and remote communities, helping patients get the care they need closer to home.”
Communities in Interior B.C., including Clearwater and Blue River, should expect community paramedics in early 2017.
Initially introduced in the province in 2015 in nine communities, the community paramedicine initiative is now expanding province wide, including 31 communities in the Interior.
