Alberta committed to supporting EMS workers
Strategy prioritizes mental health programs, Adriana Lagrange writes.
Every single day, our frontline workers show incredible courage as they deal with tough situations.
Since I became health minister, my main goal has been to listen to what our frontline health-care workers, patients, and every Albertan has to say, and then take action on their needs.
That is why I was very concerned by the inaccurate claims recently made by the Alberta NDP regarding supports available for emergency medical services (EMS) workers.
The NDP suggested that our valued, hardworking, brave EMS workers do not have access to the psychological supports we all know they deserve. This inaccurate assertion must be corrected.
These individuals serve as the cornerstone of our health-care system, consistently providing aid to Albertans during medical emergencies.
It is undeniable that the nature of their work exposes them to experiences that can significantly impact their mental and emotional well-being.
This is why it is critical for our government equip them with robust support to navigate these challenges.
That is why we have allocated resources to initiatives such as the OSI-CAN program and the Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium.
These programs provide support for first responders and their families who may be grappling with stress or trauma.
Moreover, within Alberta Health Services (AHS) EMS, we have a comprehensive strategy to address recruitment and retention concerns while prioritizing mental health support.
This includes the recruitment of additional psychologists to bolster our mental health programs.
There are also specialized staff who facilitate discussions where EMS personnel can engage in candid conversations about mental health issues and resources to assist those returning to work after managing psychological injuries, ensuring their mental well-being is adequately attended to.
Furthermore, we have initiated a provincewide peer support program following consultations with AHS EMS staff, including dispatch personnel, to gain their insights and perspectives.
Informed by these dialogues, we are implementing new training, protocols, and a mentorship scheme for peer-support members, with plans to expand the program throughout AHS EMS.
All of these efforts are a big step in making sure our EMS staff have the support they need for their mental health and wellness.
We know that we can always do more to support our valuable frontline EMS workforce, and that's why we are going to be engaging directly with frontline EMS workers to identify opportunities for growing Alberta's paramedic workforce, recommending improvement in recruitment, work environment, retention and training.
I look forward to announcing more details on this work very soon.
Our frontline heroes deserve nothing but our full support as they keep on looking out for the well-being of our province.