2019 was record year for Saskatoon paramedics

Saskatoon paramedics responded to a record number of calls this past year.

The 31,440 calls in 2019 were nearly 600 more than they received the year before.

“It was alarming to see. We knew that we had been busier this last year but to see the amount of calls go up almost 1,000 to the service is extremely stressful and extremely busy for our paramedics,” said Troy Davies, director of public affairs for Medavie Health Services.

Medavie Health Services West covers Saskatoon and approximately a 45-kilometre radius around the city. That includes Warman, Martensville, Colonsay and Osler, among others.

According to Davies, the increased number of calls has started to cause some mental health issues among the workers.

“We are in a very stressful job already as paramedics in responding to emergencies,” he said. “But to have an increase in calls for every truck and every paramedic, we are seeing some mental health issues come forward with staff.”

Davies points to the increase in overdoses as one of a few reasons for the rise in calls. He said the service sees an average of 35 to 50 overdose calls a week.

He says the company is working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to find ways to decrease stress levels for paramedics.

“We’ve had to work with other partners and one of the programs we partnered with the SHA on is the community paramedic program and that’s working to just maybe go to people’s houses rather than having to use ERs and just a different way of delivering EMS,” said Davies.

“I would say we are one of the most diverse EMS agencies in the country with all the services that our paramedics provide in different areas of the city. But it has been extremely stressful for our staff and it’s something that we have to keep an eye on.

“We will continue to work with our association, unions and membership to make sure our staff are in a safe working environment.”