Paramedics frustrated by off-load delays at BGH emergency department

Paramedics continue to face lengthy delays transferring patients to Brantford General Hospital despite a program aimed at solving the problem, a spokesperson says.

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“Our members continue to be disappointed with the lack of urgency and cooperation at Brantford General Hospital,” Brett Palfreyman, steward for OPSEU, Local 256, which represents Brant-Brantford Paramedics, said. “We’re frustrated that this program isn’t working the way it’s supposed to.

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“At the end of the day it’s patients who end up not getting the care they deserve.”

Hospital officials say the problem is not unique to Brantford and is a symptom of a larger problem.

“It is well documented that this is occurring across Ontario,” Lisa Reeder, the healthcare system’s interim vice-president of clinical services, said. “Hospitals continues to work with its many partners to find sustainable solutions in providing timely and safe care to residents.

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“This situation is one we, like our EMS partners, are concerned about.”

At issue is $628,000 in provincial funding the healthcare system received in February 2023 to address the off-load problem. Off-load refers to the time it takes for a patient to be taken off the ambulance stretcher and admitted to the hospital.

The program aims to ensure beds and a nurse are available to accommodate patients brought to the emergency department by paramedics.

Reeder said the money has been used to support additional beds and hire three full-time equivalent positions, which have been filled at different stages of the year.

But Palfreyman said paramedics continue to face lengthy off-load delays. Instead of being on the road, paramedics spend hours in the hospital emergency department.

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As a result, those in need of an ambulance have to wait for paramedics to come into Brantford Brant from other areas.

But hospital officials say the emergency department is dealing with an increase in patients seeking treatment.

“Currently, on average, BGH is experiencing 20 to 30 patients waiting in the emergency department to be admitted into the hospital as an inpatient each and every day,” Reeder said. “These patients can only be admitted once availability on inpatient wards is confirmed.”

Over the past decade, BGH has seen the demand for emergency care increase. More than 58,000 patients visit the emergency department annually and that’s expected to grow to more than 70,000 by 2030.

There is also a national nursing shortage.

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“Ace of today – Jan. 10 – we have a total of 177 vacancies,” Reeder said. “Of those vacancies, we need 76 registered nurses and 36 registered practical nurses to achieve full complement.

“Currently in the emergency department alone, we have 18 staffing vacancies including 15 registered nurses, one charge nurse, one physician assistant and one unit clerk.”

Russ King, the chief of Brant-Brantford Paramedic Services, said the program implemented in 2023 is a concept that, on paper, should work.

“It’s a great idea and if the hospital had the staffing, the program would work fine,” King said. “But because of the staffing issues, the nursing shortage, the program is not always there for us.”

During the Christmas holidays, there were times when there were no Brant Brantford paramedics. Paramedics had to be called in from other jurisdictions, King said.

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Paramedics are also dealing with an increase in calls.

“Our paramedics are among the best in the province and I give them a lot of credit,” King said. “After spending several hours in hospital with a patient, they come out and they’re going to call, after call, after call.

“They’re working for 12 hours without a break.”

Morale among paramedics is at an all-time low, King said.

“There needs to be better cooperation between ourselves and the hospital and we need clear cut guidelines to ensure we have enough ambulances on the road,” King said.

The province also needs to step up and ensure there are more nurses and more paramedics, King said.

Every paramedic service in the province is facing a shortage of paramedics and the colleges can’t graduate them fast enough to meet the demand, King said.

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