Medical first responders’ role on Texada Island will be expanding to include providing basic health care services next year, BC health minister Terry Lake announced Wednesday, April 27.
Texada is one of 73 rural and remote BC communities included in the province’s community paramedicine program expansion.
Within BC Ambulance Service the program will create 80 new, full-time equivalent positions. Those paramedics will also enhance emergency response capabilities.
Lake stated the program, which was piloted in nine communities last year, broadens the traditional emergency care focus of paramedics to include disease prevention, health promotion and basic health care.
Paramedics will visit people in their homes or in the community and perform assessments requested by the referring healthcare professional.
