Wednesday, June 13, 2007

** New Brunswick switches to provincial EMS system

** Female South African paramedic in critical condition in hospital

** Three South African medics attacked by stick wielding thugs

CANADA NEWS

** The close of the year should see New Brunswick transform into a province-wide EMS system. That is the word from CBC (June 12) which said Ambulance New Brunswick, a subsidiary of Medavie Blue Cross, will take over prehospital reigns by November. At present, approximately 36 operators provide ambulance care in the province. The deal with Medavie covers a ten year period

SOUTH AFRICA NEWS

** A group of thugs attacked a trio of paramedics in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Monday. SABC (June 12) reported the medics were set upon by assailants clad in balaclavas who wielded sticks and sjamboks. One of the practitioners identified an attacker as a local union leader. There is no word on what motivated the attacks, but police did say ambulance keys were taken during the incident.

** A female Johannesburg paramedic is in critical but stable condition in hospital, after an ambulance accident Monday. SAPA (June 12) said the unidentified ER24 practitioner sustained facial and head injuries, as well as multiple fractures in the mishap. According to police, the 10 p.m. crash involved the unit colliding with both a minibus and a car. Both became part of the crash after attempting to avoid a car which had rolled into their lane. Police continue to investigate.