Monday, September 19, 2011

** Bad roads impacting patient care in Manitoba, paramedics’ union head says

** UK medic recovering after being shot by air gun during call

CANADA NEWS

** Patient safety in Manitoba is being placed at risk by the poor state of repair of streets and highways. That is the word from Global Winnipeg (September 15) which quoted Paramedic Association of Manitoba Chair Jodie Possia as saying the inadequate infrastructure can lengthen response and transport times. At the same time, it can prevent treatment approaches like injections from being administered. Possia’s comments come at a time when the province is heading into an election. The public goes to the polls October 4.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A Scottish paramedic is recovering at home after being shot during a call-out by a sniper brandishing an air gun last Tuesday. The Daily Record (Janice Burns/September 15) said the Glasgow practitioner sustained a wound to his right shoulder when he returned to the unit to obtain supplies to treat a heart attack patient. Hearing the blast emanate from a wooded area across the road, he immediately summoned his partner for aid. Police were also dispatched, but found no trace of the shooter. Authorities continue to investigate. The medic, meanwhile, has declined to be publicly identified because of the possibility of repercussions.