The Canada Health Act ensures that every person in the country is able to receive the same level of care, regardless of location or socioeconomic status (Government of Canada, 2020). As enacted by the federal government, each province is responsible for meeting the 5 criteria set out in the act to ensure they receive federal funding. As a paramedic, we help deliver the 'accessibility' aspect, in that we cover every single aspect of our region. The entire province is broken down into regional governments, all of which are responsible for providing emergency medical service coverage. In Ontario, ambulance services are subsidized; the entire cost is covered except for a $45 fee administered by the hospital. Though we are employed at the municipal level, we adhere to provincial standards and oversights to maintain the universality of emergency care. Don't be fooled by the term emergency though, paramedics respond to every call, despite the nature of the call, and are willing to help no matter the circumstance. A patient may refuse certain assessments or even refuse transport to the hospital. Quite often, we are called because a patient had a fall, is not injured, but cannot get up on their own. We attended, assess the patient, help get them to where they were going, and even make safety suggestions or referrals for community care to visit the patient. Emergency care does not always mean life threatening, or requires an emergency department.
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