Paramedics and their union say at least 12 more hours of coverage are needed per day immediately in order to save lives.
Richmond Hill, Ontario — Paramedics from the County of Lambton, and their union SEIU Healthcare, which represents over 60,000 frontline healthcare workers in Ontario, are calling for the immediate expansion of ambulance coverage within the City of Sarnia and by extension the County of Lambton.
In their letter to Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and Lambton County Councillors, the County of Lambton paramedics state that the current ambulance coverage in the area “poses a real risk to outlying communities within Lambton County,” and that “they worry that coverage won’t be there when one of their – or your – family members require it.”
The paramedics of Lambton County are asking for an additional 12 hours of ambulance coverage to reduce the ongoing and increasing strain to the City of Sarnia and Lambton County. Ambulance coverage in the area has not been increased since 2000.
The main concern raised by the paramedics and their union is that because of the lack of ambulances, primarily between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and the increasing numbers of support needed from outside the City proper, paramedics are often forced to attend to calls in the city of Sarnia; outside of their assigned area, leaving their area without ready emergency coverage should a call come in.
You can view the full letter to Sarnia Mayer Mike Bradley and Councillors by clicking here.
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SEIU Healthcare represents more than 60,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union’s members work in hospitals, homecare, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. www.seiuhealthcare.ca