Winning Party in N.S. election needs to address system issues: head of paramedic union

Michael Nickerson of IOUE Local 727 says there have been a number of instances where the province’s staffing shortages have come to light

HALIFAXtoday \  Chris Halef

The head of the union representing Nova Scotia’s paramedics says the incoming government needs to address system issues in the province.

Michael Nickerson of IOUE Local 727 says there have been a number of instances where the province’s staffing shortages have come to light.

He told NEWS fill-in host Todd Veinotte many of the union’s members have encountered family members and people on scene who are irate due to slow response times.

“We always say the paramedics are doing the best of their ability,” he said. “This is a system issue and it really needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.”

Nickerson says in addition to staffing shortages, long wait times to offload patients at hospitals also contribute to the problem.

“Paramedics adapt very well and come up with programs and think outside the box and that safety net is overflowing now,” he said. “There is no more safety net and paramedics cannot take on more work than they’re already doing now.”

Nickerson says they are ready to work with whoever forms government to address these issues.

“The success of government is the success of all Nova Scotians,” he said.

“We don’t want to see any government fail. This isn’t just about paramedics, this is about Nova Scotians.”