Gull Lake Ambulance Paramedicine Program

The Gull Lake Ambulance Service announced its participation in the new Community Paramedicine Program during a town hall meeting this evening. The meeting commenced with Dave Waiser, Chief of Operations for Gull Lake EMS, presenting his dedicate team. Present at the event were Primary Care Paramedics Roy Krogsgaard, Brian Walters, Leanne Marin, and Paige Farr.

Leanne Marin, a Primary Care Paramedic, took the stage to detail the program and how the public can access it. Initiated as a pilot in Saskatchewan in 2020, this special program has received acclaim from various regions in North America. It functions in two different ways:

1. Community-Based Model: This approach enables primary care paramedics in a community to use their skills to broaden their role beyond just emergency response. They are able to carry out home visits, which encompass personal care homes, perform health assessments, assist with medication management, provide wound care, conduct welfare checks, offer follow-up care, and link patients with additional healthcare services. Leanne emphasized that this model is especially advantageous for individuals who might face challenges in accessing healthcare facilities.
2. Community Paramedic Designation: This enhanced model necessitates further education and training. At present, there are 24 communities in Saskatchewan that hold this designation. Leanne is participating in this program, and upon finishing, she will be equipped to provide a wider array of services to the residents of Gull Lake and the nearby region. In the upcoming 18 months, more medications and immunizations will be incorporated into the range of services offered by this program.

Dave Waiser highlighted that residents can access these services at no cost. Gull Lake EMS has chosen to participate in the program to guarantee that the community can reap its benefits. Although the ambulance service is not currently receiving funding for the program, the objective is to implement it, establish its necessity, and secure funding in the future. When asked about the benefits to the community, Dave stated,

"I believe it is advantageous because we are witnessing a decline in other services, and we can assist in bridging that gap."

The Community Paramedicine Program is intended to enhance, rather than substitute, current home care and healthcare services. To the services can be accessed through a physician's referral or they can be directly requested by anyone in need by calling 306-671-9966.

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