The Provincial Government is introducing additional incentives to attract new recruits and support existing paramedicine staff in Newfoundland and Labrador. These incentives are based on recommendations from Health Accord NL to ensure health care providers are in place to offer direct care and services to residents, and to provide work-life balance for employees.

The new suite of supports and incentives for new recruits and paramedicine staff includes:

• A skills advancement program for emergency medical responders to advance skills to become primary care paramedics.
• A tuition relief program for primary care paramedic students and advanced care paramedic students.
• An educational travel subsidy for paramedicine students when travel is required for laboratory and clinical education.

In addition to these new initiatives, a committee has been created consisting of officials from the Department of Health and Community Services, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, and stakeholders to improve mental health supports for paramedicine professionals, hospital ambulance off-load delays and response times for emergency response.

Negotiations are continuing with Medavie Health NL Inc., which was selected in October 2024 to design, manage and operate the integrated road and air ambulance service in the province. Once finalized, Medavie Health NL will be required to manage the road ambulance base infrastructure, determine the optimal positioning and deployment of road ambulances, and meet performance standards, including response times and clinical outcomes.

In June 2024, close to 500 private sector employees, including primary care paramedics, advanced care paramedics, and emergency medical responders became employees of NL Health Services, creating a provincial workforce of about 850 paramedicine professionals.

Quotes
“We recognize the importance of paramedicine professionals in our province and the services they provide to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. By making it easier for emergency responders to get advanced training and by ensuring the mental health supports are available to them, we can ensure paramedics are able to support residents of the province. We are also thankful for the support of the unions that represent emergency responders for working with us to improve working conditions.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Health and Community Services

“NL Health Services welcomes these benefits to help enhance recruitment and retention efforts for paramedicine staff and support them with building fulfilling, long-term careers in health care. The health authority is committed to career development and growth for medical professionals within the Paramedicine and Emergency Transport Program. We look forward to participating in the new committee to help strengthen the provincial ambulance system and increase awareness of mental health supports for paramedic and medical communications staff and management. They play a vital role in communities across the province by caring for people when they need it most and we thank them for all that they do.”
Cassie Chisholm
VP – Transformation, Health Systems, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

“The announcement today is a testament to the dedicated efforts by our union and Emergency Medical Services members to get the recognition and support they need to continue the highest level of care for our province and its people. The education incentives, tuition subsides, the establishment of a new collaborative committee with Health and Community Services, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, and NAPE, along with dedicated mental health supports for paramedicine professionals, are all welcome and necessary advancements. We have been steadfast in our advocacy for our paramedicine professionals and are excited for these changes which reflect a greater acknowledgement of the critical work done by our members.”
Jerry Earle
President, NAPE

“CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador is happy to see the government recognizing the important work paramedical staff perform in our province. Paramedical workers have been struggling with limited work-life balance for a long time, exacerbated by short-staffing and the increasingly complex needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We hope to see to a positive change in the field with these new incentives and benefits and look forward to working with government on similar programs in the future.”
Sherry Hillier
President, CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador

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