Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timer

‘Code Zero’ ambulance shortages hit 5-year high in Hamilton

First Published:

There was another code zero in Hamilton Tuesday afternoon meaning there’s only one or no ambulances to respond to patients in need. That brings the number of code zeros up to 32 this month, that’s more than one a day. Hamilton paramedics say this has been the highest monthly level of code zero events in 5 years. They’re adding extra resources where they can but say it’s an alarming problem that needs to be fixed.

Monday night Hamilton mayor seen it for himself, while he waited at the General with a friend he tweeted,
“there are 8 ambulances & 16 paramedics waiting for hours to off load patients. I am told this is normal! Another 7 ambulances waiting at St. Joseph’s. Mind boggling problem that must be fixed.”

Hamilton has the highest offload delays in the province. Paramedics have to stay at the hospital with their patients until they’re admitted and sometimes that means waiting for several hours. Monday alone there were 40 instances where paramedics had to wait more than 2 hours to offload patients. Their goal is to be in and out in 30 minutes.

Challenging for front line workers and for patients, especially those with lower priority problems.

“We shouldn’t be having patients waiting on the floor of their house for more than an hour for an ambulance to come to treat fracture or injury.” Chief Michael Sanderson, Hamilton paramedics.

Everyone agreeing this needs to be fixed but right now there doesn’t seem to be any real solution.

More Top News

Evening weather forecast for March 27, 2024

Shelly Marriage shares the forecast for March 27, 2024 and the days ahead.

Sister of man involved in Burlington hit-and-run speaks out

The sister of a man struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run in Burlington on Sunday is speaking out. She says she's not sure if...

Horwath to veto council’s decision not to build affordable housing on Stoney Creek parking lots

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath says she's using her "strong mayor" powers to veto city council's decision not to move forward with a plan to...

Niagara police identify 2 people found dead in St. Catharines home

Niagara police have released the identities of the two people found dead in a home in St. Catharines on Monday. Officers were called to 47...

Ontario international student permits to go to in-demand areas

Ontario will give the vast majority of its allocated international student study permits to post-secondary institutions that offer in-demand programs such as in the...

Sportsline: Hamilton Ticats all-star receiver Tim White on his World Vision trip to Asia

VIDEO: As a sibling of nine in Los Angeles, Tim White and his family lived through some hard times. So when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats...