Will you join our call to help paramedics?

Since 2018 we have been sounding the alarm on a system in crisis through the #CodeCritical campaign. Yet, we continue to see the situation deteriorate. Today, the system is nearing the point of failure.

Premier Houston and his Progressive Conservative Government were elected on a promise – a promise to fix health care. We have seen him and his government take important steps toward this, including with the announcement of a 20-25% raise for CCAs. It’s time to do the same for our paramedics. Pay them what they deserve, bring them up to the national standard.

Unfortunately, time is running out.

Sign our letter and tell Premier Houston, Minister Thompson and all Nova Scotia MLAs that the time for action is NOW – before it’s too late.

Our Paramedics Need Your Support

Tell Premier Houston we deserve better!

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Letter:
To Nova Scotia’s 55 MLAs, Since 2018 IUOE Local 727, the Union that represents Nova Scotia’s paramedics and LifeFlight RNs, has been sounding the alarm on a system in crisis through the #CodeCritical campaign. Yet, we continue to see the situation deteriorate. Today, the system is nearing the point of failure. In January, there were 186 #CodeCritical reports. That’s 186 times areas of the province had two or fewer crews available to respond to calls – including emergency calls. Too often we see examples of the consequences Nova Scotians face when ambulance coverage is insufficient. Like Anne MacPhee (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ambulance-offload-wait-times-health-care-fitch-report-1.5971425), whose husband died of a heart attack in their Halifax apartment, just 3km away from a hospital. It took 34 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. Thirty-four minutes. Or Ross O’Brien (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ambulance-offload-times-1.6136458), who spent more than 3 hours laying in his driveway with a broken hip waiting for paramedics to arrive. When the family found out that it would be another two hour wait, they decided to transport him to hospital themselves. These are just two of too many examples. Frankly, even ONE story is too many. We send our sincere condolences to these families and the many others out there with similar stories. No Nova Scotian should have to watch a loved one suffer while they wait, and wait, and wait for an ambulance to arrive. These issues not only have very direct and real implications on the health and safety of all Nova Scotians, they also place additional strain and risk on our paramedics who already face deteriorating working conditions. Paramedics get into this profession to help. When they see calls in the queue with no units available to respond – or are dispatched from the CBRM to calls in Truro and Dartmouth, like was reported to the Union on December 30, 2021 – that takes a serious mental and emotional toll. In the month of January, Nova Scotia paramedics reported 242 missed meals, 167 instances of shift overrun totalling 242.5 hours of overtime and 36 denied vacations. In just ONE month. That’s 242 cases where paramedics didn’t get a lunch break. Sure, they may find a minute or two to scarf down some food – but consistently eating too fast can lead to a number of health issues, including digestive problems, obesity, metabolic issues and more. It’s time paramedics are able to care for themselves while they take care of us. That’s 167 times paramedics didn’t get to go home on time. Over 240 hours of missed good nights with their kids, missed time with family and missed time to relax. That’s 36 times paramedics were told they couldn’t have the time off to relax and refresh that they so desperately need – and that’s in a typically slow month for vacations. Thirty-six missed birthdays, family occasions and mental health days. Enough is enough. It’s easy to see why paramedics are fleeing this province or the profession entirely at such an alarming rate. They’re tired, they’re hungry and they can’t take any more. They are some of the most highly skilled and trained paramedics in North America, and yet they’re some of the lowest paid. We cannot keep hemorrhaging this critical workforce. It’s time we make changes to improve working conditions and attract more paramedics to this province. The recent announcement of a wage increase for CCAs is well deserved and a great start towards improving access to health care for Nova Scotians. It’s time to do the same for our paramedics. Pay them what they deserve, bring them up to the national standard. The time for action is now – before it’s too late. Sincerely,
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Will you join our call to help paramedics?

Our Paramedics Need Your Support

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