Paramedic teams will soon be available around the clock to respond to overdose calls in Winnipeg’s downtown area as a pilot project to address the ongoing toxic drug crisis, the Manitoba government says.
But Winnipeg’s mayor wonders where those paramedics will come from when city is already in short supply.
“In the past week alone, several ambulances were out of service on multiple days because we lacked the staff to operate them,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a statement following the province’s announcement on Tuesday.
“Any dedicated service unit can and will only be staffed after regular city-wide ambulance shifts are fully covered.”
Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith announced Tuesday that the province will spend $802,000 for the three-month trail run, set to begin this month and run in partnership with the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service.
Ambulances and paramedics are already in short supply in Winnipeg, says Mayor Scott Gillingham. (Ron Dhaliwal/CBC)
Community groups in the city have reported a significant increase in overdoses in Winnipeg’s North End, West End and downtown, particularly in shelters and encampments, according to a news release citing Smith.
A dedicated two-person paramedic team will be available 24-7 to respond to overdose calls in those high-need areas, with flexibility to respond to surrounding communities as needed, Smith said.
The government is also giving money to several other organizations to help improve responses to overdoses, including for training and the distribution of oxygen delivery devices. Supplemental oxygen can improve outcomes in overdoses where substances may not respond to naloxone alone, the news release states.
Main Street Project is getting $150,000 to manage the supply and distribution of approximately 20 oxygen delivery devices.
Another $100,000 is being shared between St. John’s Ambulance and Manitoba Harm Reduction Network for intermediate first-aid training and overdose response training for front-line community partners, including how to administer naloxone and guidance on when to call emergency medical services.
Mayor questions paramedic availability
Gillingham’s statement says the present staffing shortage of paramedics in the city is acute.
“[They] are doing exceptional work under difficult conditions, but many face severe burnout and many are currently off on medical leave,” he said.
“We support the goal of getting emergency medical care to vulnerable people faster and reducing pressure on shelter staff, firefighters, and paramedics. However, this initiative must protect emergency coverage across the whole city.”
When ambulance units are unavailable, firefighters are called to more medical incidents, potentially delaying their availability for other emergencies like structure fires, the statement said.
“I have been consistent in my advocacy that Winnipeg urgently needs a permanent increase to our baseline complement of ambulances and full-time paramedic positions,” Gillingham said.
“Winnipeg needs both a strong response to the overdose crisis and reliable ambulance coverage in every neighbourhood. The city will do its part, but temporary funding for overtime hours cannot replace the permanent paramedics and ambulances our emergency response system needs.”