Virden is one of nine towns getting provincial dollars to create new paramedic positions, Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said earlier this week.
The increase was first announced in the Manitoba budget for 2018. It allows for 60 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions at EMS stations across southern Manitoba.
Goertzen says it will “ensure highly skilled professionals are available for emergency dispatch and response at all times of the day, reducing the reliance on on-call staff.”
Some positions will be filled by staff currently working in an on-call capacity. Others will be hired to fill vacancies and will be on the job later this year.
The new positions will be located at EMS stations in the following communities:
Virden – 4.85 FTE (converting some from on-call, as well as new);
Dauphin – 9.7 FTE (converting from on-call);
Gilbert Plains – 4.85 FTE (new positions);
Killarney – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call);
Gimli – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call);
Boundary Trails – 4.85 FTE (converting some on-call, as well as new);
West St. Paul – 9.7 FTE (new positions);
Altona – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call); and
Teulon – 4.85 FTE (converting from on-call).
Penny Gilson, chief executive officer of Prairie Mountain Health, said, “Based on recommendations from the 2013 Manitoba EMS System Review, enhancements are underway to increase the staff complement at strategic locations. The goal is to continue to improve response times and ensure consistent, coordinated and reliable access to care.”
Eric Glass, administrative director of the Paramedic Association of Manitoba, said, “This investment is an excellent step towards ending long on-call shifts and allows paramedics to deliver services in a predictable, responsive and safe manner.”
