Provincial release:

The province’s nearly 1,300 paramedics are being celebrated today, September 23, on Medic Monday.

“Paramedics are truly unsung heroes. They are often the first on the scene, saving lives in some of the most traumatic circumstances,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “On this Medic Monday, I want to personally thank each and every paramedic for their incredible service.”

To support the lifesaving work of paramedics, in the past 12 months, the Province has:
– provided free tuition to paramedics who agree to work in Nova Scotia for at least four years following graduation
– supported efforts to streamline the licensing process, making it easier for internationally trained paramedics to work in Nova Scotia, faster
– negotiated new agreements with higher pay for paramedics
– opened a new Emergency Health Services regional station in Antigonish County
– strengthened health and safety practices, including revised end-of-shift procedures to reduce overtime and fatigue for ground ambulance staff
– added 13 clinical transport operators to manage patient transfers, allowing paramedics to focus on emergency calls
– introduced a new emergency medical responder (EMR) role to help lessen workload; the first class graduated in June and another in August, resulting in 23 EMRs now working across the province.
Since January, 65 paramedics have joined the ranks with many more in training.

These efforts advance Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare, by investing in recruitment, retention, education and training opportunities to ensure Nova Scotians’ healthcare needs are met.

“Choosing to be a paramedic goes beyond a career of being a clinician. It’s a career of being of service to others. Day and night, they are there answering the call in our communities. I want to thank them for their unwavering dedication, ensuring Nova Scotians receive the best care possible.” 
— Matthew Crossman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Emergency Medical Care Inc.

Quick Facts:
– in 2023, EHS received more than 192,200 calls
– since its official launch in August 2023, the EHS LifeFlight non-critical care transport program has transferred 1,240 patients, putting nearly 12,000 ambulance service hours back into local communities
– Nova Scotia’s emergency health system includes primary care, intermediate care, advanced care and critical care paramedics, emergency medical responders, clinical transport operators and communications officers who work in a variety of roles and settings, including in single paramedic response units, community paramedicine, hospitals, emergency preparedness and special operations, with EHS LifeFlight, and in the EHS medical communications centre
– tuition rebates are available for 460 people who want to become primary care paramedics or emergency medical responders
– Nova Scotia will train up to 200 emergency medical responders over the next two years