Maroc - MYMUSKOKANOW.COM - A La Une - 24/Sep 16:08

Changes coming to paramedic coverage in MacTier

The Paramedic Station building in MacTier is closing next year, but the District of Muskoka says that doesn't mean paramedics are leaving the area. Officials say due to the population both growing and aging, the calls for paramedic services are expected to increase significantly. They add the closure of the station was done after study which demonstrated the existing Port Carling and MacTier stations were not ideally located, and moving paramedics to new locations would help them reach more people faster. The District says although the station in MacTier will close, a Paramedic Response Unit (PRU) will be stationed to ensure emergency services remain available in the area. That unit will be staffed with 1 Paramedic 12-hours per day, seven days per week, matching to previous station operation times of the MacTier Station. Unlike an ambulance, the PRU does not have the space or equipment to transport patient to hospitals, however, the District says if an ambulance is delayed, the PRU can begin treatment, ensuring faster treatment and stabilization. "For the community, having a dedicated PRU means quicker response times," reads the District's updated website. "Since PRUs don't transport patients, they can stay in the area and be ready for the next call, reducing the time it takes for help to arrive. This allows ambulances to focus on transporting patients who need hospital care, improving overall emergency service efficiency and ensuring that residents receive timely medical attention." Officials add the change is an improvement for coverage in MacTier, "as currently that ambulance is either on standby for a busier community or on a lengthy transport to/from hospital. Additionally, the new station locations, such as Glen Orchard and Whites Falls, are purposely chosen to improve emergency coverage and reduce overall response times throughout Muskoka. These changes ensure that all communities, including MacTier, receive the fastest, safest, and highest quality medical care possible." Officials say the paramedic response unit will be in MacTier by this December, with the MacTier ambulance to be relocated to Southern Georgian Bay by early 2025, and the closing of the physical station is set for October of that year. A recent Change.org petition to keep the MacTier station up and running has been started by resident Chris Fellows. As of publishing, it's been signed over a thousand times. The petition reads "MacTier sits in a political "Dead-Zone", On the edge of three different townships, and two different districts. Because of this, The District of Muskoka seems to think its okay to slowly take away services from us. First it was the Police, with our "Local" station being in Bracebridge which is 40+ minutes away. Now they want to take our Healthcare services away too." The post Changes coming to paramedic coverage in MacTier appeared first on My Muskoka Now.