Czechia boots Canada out of the World Juniors for second year in a row
18h ago
Team Canada had seven penalties against Czechia.
It’s another record year for paramedics in Saskatoon as they responded to 42,188 emergency calls, 63 more than in 2023.
According to Medavie Health Services West release, Saskatoon community paramedics experienced an increase in responses from 3623 in 2023, to 8032 events in 2024.
Troy Davies with Medavie Health Services West explained in the past when someone needed urgent care, ambulances would transport them directly to the emergency room. However, now with the introduction of community paramedics, a significant number of these cases are treated at home instead of being taken to the ER.
Read More:
- Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block looks to challenges ahead in 2025
- Extreme weather features in Saskatchewan’s top news stories of 2024
- Reflecting on 2024 with Saskatoon Police Chief Cam McBride
“We’re working with SHA (Saskatchewan Health Authority) and with the Ministry of Health to do programs like our community paramedics and other programs that we’re working with daily to try to reduce the amount of patients we’re taking to the ER,” Davies said.
Davies said there has been a significant decrease in paramedic distribution of Narcan, a nasal spray administered to counteract the effects of an opiate overdose.
In 2023, Davies said over 750 doses were given out, but predicts this year less than half of that has been distributed.
Davies recognized the efforts made by community programs and stakeholders such as the Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatchewan Health Authority’s outreach teams, and Prairie Harm Reduction, which work with those struggling with mental health and addictions, and teach individuals how to use Narcan kits.
“Not saying our overdose rate has gone down by any means, but the amount of patients where we get there and they’re not breathing has significantly changed because they’ve already received Narcan,” Davies said.
Still, paramedics are extremely busy, he explained, noting work is constantly being done to reduce ER visits through alternative healthcare methods.
“It’s almost on a daily basis where we’re looking to see how we can do things differently, just to make sure that we’re looking at all avenues when it comes to treating residents in Saskatoon and surrounding communities,” Davies said.