Alberta paramedic licensing committee suspended amid PTSD controversy

Committee members responsible for paramedic registrations in Alberta havebeensuspended, pending an unprecedented review andafter weeks ofcontroversy over licensing and mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

The suspension of the eight-memberparamedic licensing review committeecomes less than a month afteremergency workers at an Albertaannual general meeting in Edmonton called for a review of the committee.

Many participants atthe Oct. 1 Edmonton conference said they were worried about rulingsnot to renew full registration commonly known as a licence of certain paramedics who sought treatment for mental health issues.

A letter announcing the suspension and review was distributedto all registered paramedics in Albertaon Thursday.

"Recent events identified concerns over the guidelines generating the need for an impartial review,"wroteIanMcEwan, whosits on the Alberta College of Paramedics elected council. "The review does not stem from any isolated decisions and reasons made by the committee.

"The college's objective is to regulate the profession in the interest and safety of the public and in a fair and just manner to practitioners."

The college regulates the paramedic profession in Alberta, one ofjust three such collegesin Canada.

Unlike some other self-regulating colleges in the province, likethose overseeingdoctors or lawyers, the Alberta college for paramedics is not fully independent. The health disciplines board, which is directed by the provincial Ministry of Health, holds the ultimate decision-making power.

College spokeswoman Heather Verbaas said the decision to begina review came from the elected council that oversees the college, not from government.

She explained that suspending the registration committee was the best way to make sure the process was impartial, though she didnot say who would conduct the review.

Suspected linkto PTSD cases

Paramedics who have been registered by the college for decades say the suspensions areunusual,but welcome.

"I'm not totally surprised that something finally transpired like this, but I've never seen it," said veteran paramedic George Porter, whoworked asa paramedic in Alberta for more than 40 years and called for a review at the annual general meeting.

"I believe it absolutely has to do with Dave McAllister's case and Mike Lacourciere's case and a few others that have been waiting in the wings," he added.

McAllister and Lacourciere are two paramedics who went public with their concerns about the committee failing torenewtheir licences after they revealed to the college that they sought treatment for PTSD.

A spokesman for Alberta'sHealth Ministry said Fridaythe decision for launching thereview had nothing to do with government, though governmentis now involved.

"I can confirm that the Ministry of Health has been contacted by the Alberta College of Paramedics and asked to assist," wrote Timothy Wilson in an email response to an interview request.

"We are now reviewing the matter and cannot comment further at this time."

The suspension will last for at least 60 days. The college will strike an interim committee in the meantime, to be chosen from a roster of volunteers.