Ministry of Health Letter Re: Dispatch of Medical Aid Calls

NOV 08 2018

His Worship David Screech Mayor of the Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Ave Victoria BC V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Screech:

Thank you for your letter of October 1, 2018, regarding changes to how medical aid calls are dispatched with the implementation of the Clinical Resource Model (CRM) and your concerns regarding local stakeholder consultation processes. I appreciate being made aware of your concerns and I hope that the following information will be of use to you.

The CRM is intended to match each patient’s needs with a timely and appropriate response. It allows paramedics to get to critically ill patients more quickly and also creates room for patients with non-urgent medical needs to receive advice and assistance by phone. This helps to ensure that fire first responders remain available for the most critical calls and that patients receive the best possible service. Fire first responders will continue to be involved in any call involving a motor vehicle accident, hazmat, drowning / near drowning, or fire, as well as any other call that requires first responder expertise or if a paramedic crew requests first responder backup.

Across British Columbia, early data indicates the median response times have dropped compared to pre-CRM implementation. The number of requests from BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) to fire first responders has also dropped province-wide by an average of 15 percent, and BCEHS has acknowledged that this change has been more significant and immediate than expected.

I understand BCEHS met with representatives from the View Royal Fire Department in September, and that future consultations are planned. I expect that these meetings will provide an ongoing opportunity for fire first responders to have their concerns addressed by BCEHS.

I appreciate your commitment to advocating for the residents of View Royal, and early results indicate they can expect timely and appropriate responses as this initiative moves ahead. Input such as yours is valuable as we strive to improve our health care system and ensure that all British Columbians have timely access to emergency medical services.

I would like to thank you again for sharing your concerns and suggestions. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Sincerely,

Adrian Dix Minister

pc: Mitzi Dean, MLA