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Paramedics delayed at hospitals due to lack of emergency beds a shortfall of close to $1 million. ByCHRISTINA COMMISSO "It's not a reflection on the staff at the Metroland Media Group hospital. Everyone knows they're overAlmost $1.5 million in Emergency worked," said Carr of the delays. "ConMedical Services staffing hours was lost sequently, because of the inaction of the last year due to hold ups in emergency provincial government, it's essentially the departments. downloading of services." While Halton's EMS continues to hit The EMS update shows five its response time targets, a lack instances in 2010 where not of beds in emergency rooms is a single ambulance was availkeeping paramedics and their able to respond to emergencies vehicles tied up at hospitals. and 226 occurrences of four or During his presentation to fewer ambulances being availthe Region's Health and Social able. The numbers are slightly Services committee recentlly, higher than 2009, when there EMS director Greg Sage said were four instances of zero close to 9,000 hours were lost available ambulance, and 167 in 2010 due to hospital offload times when four or less were delays. available. GARY "If there are 12 ambulances The Health Ministry proCARR on duty and four are tied up vided funding to staff Joseph at hospitals in offload delays, Brant and Oakville hospitals we're left with eight vehicles. The longer with a dedicated offload nurse (DON) to they stay in hospital, the further our re- receive ambulance patients in emergency sources are depleted." departments. One-time funding for 2010The Ontario Ministry of Health has 11 of $261,756 allowed for almost 3,500 set a 20-minute target for paramedics to hours of DON staffing, which saw 1,346 arrive to emergency departments until patients. However, despite the funding, they're able to respond to another call. offload delays have remained consistent However, when inpatient beds in hospi- since 2007. tals are full, patients end up occupying The ministry hasn't confirmed DON emergency beds and paramedics are un- funding for 2011-12. able to move individuals from the EMS EMS forecasts call for two additional stretcher to hospitals beds. 12-hour ambulances in 2012. Regional Chair Gary Carr said the offTwo new stations, one in Georgetown load delays could be traced back to the and one in southeast Oakville, opened last Province, which is supposed to cover 50 year. Regional staff are currently scouting per cent of EMS costs, with the Region locations for a northwest Oakville station covering the other half. This year's bud- for 2012 and work is underway with the get reports show the Province will fund Town of Milton to construct a fire/EMS 46 per cent of EMS costs in 2011, leaving station in 2016. Heritage Decks Ltd. 905-873-0368 Heritage Decks specializes in the design and construction of custom cedar decks and built-in spas. Every Heritage deck is meticulously constructed with top quality material and totally original design. Call for a free cheerful estimate. Ask about our lifetime warranty! 'Shop Local' EST. 1984 See customer testimonials and pictures at www.heritagedecks.com 3 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, April 28, 2011 Deck of the Week Lifetime Warranty Before After Before After Developments in Georgetown South get go-ahead Continued from pg. 1 The development has received 383 SDEs of water allocation covering the first phase of 144 units, with a portion of the second-- the remainder will have to wait until more water becomes available. The Town will receive $1,000 per SDE from the developer for the water. The Remington Group is also adhering to the Town's Green Checklist for new housing and will be building homes with enhanced green features. Planning director John Linhardt anticipates that building permits for these developments will happen in late 2011 for construction in 2012. Call Today for Your NO OBLIGATION ESTIMATE 1-800-467-2079 905-873-7773 www.dunroven.ca e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com FINAL 2 WEEKS! - Oil & Filter and complete top to bottom check over. + EXTRAS - Tim Cards - Car Wash - Windshield Washer Fluid CALL Just $ 39 95