Thursday, August 6, 2009
** New Brunswick too slow in allowing medics to provide advanced care?
** Bathurst, New Brunswick paramedics cry foul over EMS working conditions
** UK pensioner sentenced to half year in jail for attacking medic
CANADA NEWS
** A former New Brunswick paramedic is decrying what he says is the poor state of EMS provision in the province. CBC News (August 5) quoted Gord Sheasby, who worked in the Petticodiac-Salisbury area, as saying New Brunswick’s prehospital patient care is at the lowest level in the country. Along with being unable to provide advanced care, he said medics can not do basic things such as medicated pain relief for patients. Paramedic Association of New Brunswick president Chris Hood agreed that progress has been slow in the province. He said it could be another five years or so before service levels become comparable to the rest of Canada.
** New Brunswick paramedics in Bathurst are crying foul over EMS working conditions, saying poor treatment on the part of the employer should be subject to a public inquiry. The Telegraph Journal (Cheryl Norrad/August 4) said inadequate staffing, forced overtime, loss of meal breaks, vacation time loss and suspensions are all deep sixing morale. New Brunswick paramedic union president Denis Beaulieu said Ambulance New Brunswick is not adhering to the collective agreement. Beaulieu said while his organization is attempting to work out problems with the employer, some problems continue to rankle. Along with coverage area difficulties, he said a black box related speed alarm unnecessarily blasts drivers who exceed posted limits. Suspensions can then follow. Ambulance New Brunswick, meanwhile, did not comment on the matter.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** Punching and slapping a Gloucestershire paramedic sent to aid him has landed one pensioner in jail for six months. That is the word from This is Gloucestershire (August 5) which said Robert Fowler also tossed emergency equipment on the floor during his July 12 rage. According to the newspaper, the 67-year-old got his dander up when attending medic Paul Creed suggested alcohol consumption may have exacerbated his medical complaint. Fowler then allegedly punched Creed in the chest, at the same time as letting loose a string of profanities. When Creed exited the premises, Fowler then began to bash the ambulance itself. Police arrived shortly after. Not his first run-in, Fowler’s arrest record includes several assaults on police officers.
