New Legislation Will Modernize Paramedicine Profession

Government is increasing public safety by making paramedics a self-regulating profession.

New legislation introduced today, Nov. 18, will establish a College of Paramedics that will set standards of practice and resolve complaints.

"We want paramedics to have a strong voice in the opportunities available to the profession," said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. "Self-regulation reflects the key role they play in a unified provincial health-care system and their high level of professionalism."

There are about 1,400 registered paramedics in Nova Scotia. Most of them work for Emergency Health Services or the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

"Through this legislation, paramedics will be better able to provide the levels of care that Nova Scotians want and deserve," said Bruce Sangster, a member of the paramedic advisory committee that helped to develop the bill. "At the same time, a paramedics' college will give us a strong voice in establishing professional standards of care and accountability, and keeping up with the changing scope of practice."

The government will provide a $350,000 subsidy over two fiscal years to help establish the College of Paramedics. After that, the college would be financed solely through dues it collects from paramedics.

"Nova Scotia has a world-class emergency health system and the highly trained paramedics who work in every community across Nova Scotia are vital members of the health-care team," said Mr. Glavine.

Paramedics will join 21 health professions that are already self-regulated in Nova Scotia, including physicians, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.