Friday, November 2, 2007

** Melbourne, Australia medics run off their feet

** Nova Scotia medic to run in federal election

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** Melbourne medics in Victoria are apparently being run off their feet, with call volumes rising by some 10 per cent over last year. The Age (November 1) said that is the contention offered by a report tabled in the state Parliament Thursday. According to the paper, practitioners responded to 300,000 emergency calls in 2006, placing the service’s financial situation in the red. The organization now sports a $1.1 million deficit. Accounting for the higher demand, the tome said an increase in chronic illnesses, as well as more inter facility transfers fuelled the upward swing.

CANADA NEWS

** A Nova Scotia paramedic, anticipating an upcoming federal election, has put his hat in the ring to run for the New Democratic Party. Nova News (Carolyn Sloan/October 31) said West Nova resident George Barron, who worked EMS for 21 years, was nominated October 23 in Bear River. A former labour union president, his platform centres around health care and social justice.