Paramedics from Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported improved response times, an increase in calls expected for this year and continuing efforts in improving mental health services for first responders, among other items at the June 22 council meeting.
Nicholas Thain of AHS said emergency services expects about 1,850 calls this year, going off of a four per cent increase seen thus far. Thain also reported response times have quickened to the eight to 13 minute range. He pointed to two 24-hour ambulances operating in the town as the reason behind the improvement.
Thain outlined five main areas AHS were looking to improve upon.
He spoke about the continued effort to discuss ways to improve mental health services for emergency responders. “It is absolutely critical that we understand that the people out doing the important work everyday and providing care, that they are cared for.”
The other areas AHS were aiming to improve are maintaining ambulance facilities and the vehicles themselves, fully applying a consolidated dispatch model (which provides medical workers with an information database on every community’s available resources) and implementing Electronic Patient Care Reporting, which will give workers access to up-to-date medical information on patients.
“This is about aligning EMS with community and aligning EMS with health planning towards 2030,” Thain said.
Other efforts were discussed, such as a community paramedic program to train citizens to provide low intensity care and their 90 Minutes in 90 Days program, which aims to expedite patient transit time to hospitals so responders can return to responding to calls.
Sept. 25 to 27 is officially “Cochrane has ARTS Culture Days,” after council approved the motion presented by the Arts and Culture Foundation of Cochrane.
The plan for the event features an arts-focused networking night and a Cochrane-wide series of demonstrations among arts groups and businesses the following day.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the Nakoda-Cochrane Pickin’ Party along with local musicians, followed by a Sunday jam session at the BullHorn Saloon.
The Canada 150 Mosaic Mural will also be a part of the event, and people are invited to paint at the Cochrane Movie House.
