More paramedics to take on advanced duties in province's health care system

New Brunswick's advanced care paramedic pilot program will becomepermanent and expandto include Fredericton, Health Minister BenotBourque announced on Wednesday.

Advanced care paramedics can administer medications and useskills that primary care paramedics are not allowed to apply in order to treat patients.

• New Brunswick allows some advanced care paramedics
• Advanced care paramedics want access to health system
• Paramedics want advanced care training recognized

Pilot programs were launched in Saint John,MonctonandBathurstlast spring and quickly demonstrated their value, said Bourque.

One-third of the calls the ACPshaveresponded required their immediate, higher level of care, he said, calling the data "quite overwhelming."

"Advanced care paramedics are making a difference for patients when the need arises," saidBourque.

"We are maximizing the use of our health professionals by providing advanced emergency medical services to New Brunswickers."

New Brunswick was the only jurisdiction in North America not using advanced care paramedics.

The Paramedics Association of New Brunswick lobbiedfor several years to see the advanced job recognized in the province.

Bourquesuggested language requirements may have played a role in the province lagging behind.

"We had to have a New Brunswick-made solution because of the specifics of our province," he said.

The health minister could not say how much the program will cost, but said the government is looking at expanding to other sites such as Edmundstonin the future.

"When you look at the value it brings, it does provide better care on-site."

'Performing exceptionally well'

Advanced care paramedics are now dispatched to work with primary care paramedics in cases where having them on scene could make a difference to the patients.

"We've seen many people's lives changed by the expanded range of medications and treatments that they've been able to deliver," said AmbulanceNew Brunswick vice-president MattCrossman.

The 15 advanced care paramedics working at the three existing sites have seen about 3,000 patients and "performed nearly every intervention we have," saidEricBeairsto, who was the lead on theACPpilot and is the manager of training and quality assurance for Ambulance New Brunswick.

"They're performing exceptionally well."

Beairsto expects about six more full-time and part-time ACPs will be hired to cover Fredericton.