Provincial downloading of ambulance services to municipalities was a big mistake.
That from the President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association.
Tom Closson says land ambulance should return to a one payer system and fall under the provinces jurisdiction again.
Closson tells Bayshore Broadcasting News such a move would improve health care and the government would find efficiencies.
Closson feels Ontario paramedic services are underused — and paramedics should get additional training.
Closson says that would reduce the workload on doctors and nurses and provide vital front line care.
Closson says an expanded role for paramedics would be particularly beneficial for rural communities like Grey and Bruce Counties.
One of the challenges however is the fact that paramedics are funded for the most part through municipal taxes while other health care professionals are funded by the province creating the dilemma of who should pay for any additional training.
He also believes that paramedics should become a regulated profession under the Health Disciplines Act.
Closson calls it puzzling that other health care professions such as nurses, doctors, physio and occupational therapists are all regulated — but not paramedics.