The Haliburton County Paramedic Service has introduced advanced care paramedics into front-line operations, in what it says represents an important step in the evolution of health care for residents and visitors across the Highlands.
The County of Haliburton said Aug. 18 that following council approval, the service (HCPS) has now deployed its first front-line advanced care paramedic (ACP).
The program is expected to expand over time, while simultaneously, primary care paramedics (PCP) continue to keep up with “rigorous” education requirements for “a dynamic and expanding” scope of practice, the County said.
Warden Dave Burton said he was pleased to see health services expand to offer more for residents of the region.
“We are fortunate to have dedicated professionals serving on the front lines everyday, making the Haliburton Highlands an exceptional place to live and visit.”
Every ambulance in Haliburton County is staffed by “highly-trained” PCPs, who provide “exceptional” care for the community, the County said.
It added the introduction of ACPs will complement the team and provide early interventions for patients experiencing the most complex, or time-critical, medical emergencies. Some common examples of these include: electrical cardioversion, intubation, and the administration of advanced medications to control things such as extreme pain or seizures.
For residents and visitors, this means an additional layer of advanced clinical care is now available within Haliburton County, the County said.
The first person to serve on a frontline ambulance as an ACP in Haliburton County is Shawn Foster, a paramedic with more than 10 years of front-line experience.
The County said, “Foster’s achievement reflects both his personal commitment to professional development and HCPS’ ongoing investment in providing exceptional emergency care to the community.”
Chief Michael Slatter of the HCPS said last week’s announcement “reflects our commitment to continually advancing the care we provide to our community.
“Our primary care paramedics already deliver exceptional care and are recognized for the progressive scope they practice under. Introducing advanced care paramedics builds on that strong foundation, ensuring our teams have even more clinical support available when caring for patients with the most complex medical needs.
“We appreciate the support of both County council and our residents and visitors as we continue strengthening emergency health care for Haliburton County.”
The County added that the addition of ACPs “represents another milestone in HCPS’ ongoing commitment to delivering evidence-informed, patient-centred health care while continuing to build health care equity to meet the evolving needs of the community.”
