Today's story in the Winnipeg Free Press (Not a healthy system) paints a fairly accurate picture of EMS in rural Manitoba.
A close look at the story can uncover some technical errors, but that's to be expected in any article of this depth written by someone not firmly entrenched in the profession. Overall the reporter has identified the challenges facing Manitoba's emergency medical services system.
As insightful as the article itself is, take some time to look at the statistical data that is provided on the Free Press web site. Chute times, call volumes, responses times, staffing models...it's by far the most indepth review of EMS in Manitoba that I have ever seen published for all to view.
I've had some Paramedics suggest to me that this story puts a negative light on rural practitioners. In my mind, nothing could be further from the truth. It identifies system deficiencies, and as paramedics wanting to provide the best level of emergency medical care to our patients we can, I can't see the negative.
