The recurring issue of ambulances waiting to offload patients has reached Queens Park.
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie, and Essex MPP Anthony Leardi, joined Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones in a discussion this week on how the government is supporting the region in healthcare, particularly the issue of eliminating "code blacks" for Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics.
Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj, Erie Shores Healthcare CEO Kristin Kennedy, Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter, and Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald also participated in the discussion.
In a media release Thursday evening, Dowie said the government has begun investing in regional healthcare, to help paramedics get back into the community sooner.
"Our government has invested nearly $1-million in the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program in the Windsor region, which was recently expanded beyond nurses last year to allow for paramedics, physician assistants, and respiratory therapists to assist with patient offload," said Dowie. "This, combined with the over $22-million the province has provided to the Essex-Windsor EMS for their Land Ambulance Services Grant, is estimated to increase ambulance availability by nearly 120,000 hours this year."
Dowie also pointed out that Jones was in Windsor-Essex in the fall of 2022 to announce the government's expansion of 911 models of care, which allow paramedics to provide care in the community, easing pressure on area emergency departments.
The discussion comes as the union representing paramedics, CUPE Local 2974, continues contract talks with the County of Essex. The union voted unanimously for strike action earlier this year.
"Code blacks" are described as periods when no ambulances are on the street and available to respond to service calls because they are at hospitals waiting to offload patients.
