The province will invest $3.5 million to install state-of-the-art equipment in ambulances.
They’ve purchased 78 power stretchers and 65 power loaders which will be outfitted in all EHS ambulances.
Business Manager for the Nova Scotia Paramedics Union Kevin MacMullin says they are very happy with the announcement.
“It’s equipment that we really need these days in the ambulances and it’s going to save a lot of injuries over the years,” says MacMullin. “It will increase the lifespan of a paramedic that might retire early due to back injuries, knee injuries.”
With the new equipment, paramedics will be able to lift patients into an ambulance by pushing a button.
They’ll be delivered over the next six weeks.
MacMullin says while they are very happy with this announcement, they are still dealing with paramedic shortages.
“We are now in a situation where we’ve had a lot of retirements, we’ve had a lot of paramedics who’ve left Nova Scotia for other jurisdictions to work. We’d like to see some relief in that regards for paramedics, where we have better working conditions.”
