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Conference:  NEWS

Topic title: ONTARIANS TO RECEIVE MORE EMERGENCY SERVICES
Note title:                                                      Lines:   46
Author:      HEALTH::HAGGARTYL     Lisa Haggarty
Number:      1169.0       Created: 11-Oct-1995 01:33pm           Replies: 0
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                                                           October 11, 1995
                                                           95/nr-091


Ontarians to Receive More Emergency Services

TORONTO -- The Mike Harris government is reinvesting health care savings to
expand front-line paramedic emergency services, Health Minister Jim Wilson said
today.

"The measure I'm announcing today will provide more paramedic emergency
services. We expect these services will save lives," he said.

"I have approved additional paramedic training in London, Kingston and
Peterborough as part of our continued support of a major research project. This
project will introduce and evaluate improved paramedic services in up to 21
communities."

The Ontario Pre-hospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS) Project will help
determine the impact of advanced paramedic services on saving lives. Basic
paramedic skills include defibrillation. Advanced skills involve such things as
providing medication under medical supervision and intubation to help people
breathe.

Ontario currently has 121 land paramedics with advanced skills. The OPALS
project will increase this number by almost 400. Today's announcement will mean
24 paramedics in London, 18 in Kingston and 12 in Peterborough will be trained
in advanced life support.

"This $15.5-million reinvestment of health care savings into emergency services
is consistent with the government's stated position of supporting the delivery
of front-line services," said Wilson.

                         -30-



For more information, please
call:

   Tony Campeau, (416) 327-7815
   Emergency Health Services Branch, Ministry of Health




--
Jerry Gault, Nepean, Ontario, Canada
ae306@freenet.carleton.ca
Ottawa-Carleton Regional Ambulance Service
Opinions are my own, not my employers