Monday, May 28, 2007

** Quebec ACPs still unable to practice

** Nebraska EMT killed in Iraq

** Queensland EMS to get $50 million boost

CANADA NEWS

** Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs) in Quebec will have to wait at least two years before they can practice their skills. That is the word from the Montreal Gazette (Jason Magder/May 27) which quoted Health Minister Philippe Couillard as saying this summer’s deadline for EMS improvement was not doable. Couillard followed the line offered by the professional doctors’ association, the College des Medecins du Quebec. College spokesman Yves Robert said his organization is still tweaking an advanced care training program. Without the program, Robert said Quebec would not recognize the Ontario training of existing ACPs. In 2004, 18 technicians graduated from Durham College. Paramedics union spokesman Stephan Scalabrini scoffed at the situation, saying doctors were dragging their feet to protect their professional turf.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Bellevue, Nebraska EMT/firefighter is dead, after being killed in Iraq. KETV (May 28) said Army National Guard Spc. William Lee Bailey III died just two weeks before his war tour was set to end. Bailey had served with the 755th Chemical Company since September 2006.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** In an effort to avert industrial action by Queensland medics, the state’s premier has promised to infuse $50 million into the system. The Age (May 27) quoted Peter Beattie as saying the funds, which would be used to prop up staffing, as well as to augment the fleet, would be included in next month’s budget. Equipment purchases and station expenditures would also be covered by the money. The announcement comes mere days after the ambulance union said EMS was in a state of crisis. A spokesman advocated the hiring of 750 more practitioners between now and 2010.