British Columbia is improving access to health care in rural and remote communities by expanding the role of qualified paramedics.
Community paramedicine in British Columbia launched through close collaboration between BC Emergency Health Services, the Ministry of Health, regional health authorities, the Ambulance Paramedics of BC (CUPE 873) and other key partners. Together, these partners brought British Columbia's first community paramedicine program to life.
In BC, the program was designed mainly for rural and remote communities that have been underserved and have aging populations living with chronic and complex conditions. The program aims to bridge gaps in health service by working closely with local health care teams.
While other provinces have introduced community paramedicine in communities or health facilities, BC was the first to implement this model province-wide.
Community paramedics provide a wide range of in-home and community-based services, including:
- Education, support, and monitoring of patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, COPD, heart failure, hypertension, fragility and fall risk, and palliative conditions
- Home health monitoring services, delivered in partnership with TELUS
- Vaccinations, including influenza and COVID-19
- Vitamin B12 injections
- In-home wound care, in collaboration with nursing wound care specialists and home care teams
- Wellness clinics, educational events, group exercise classes, and more
As of April 1, 2025, there are 95 full-time community paramedic positions at 92 stations, supporting 105 communities across BC.
Six positions are designated as rural advanced care community paramedics. These communities include Salt Spring Island/Ganges, Port McNeill, Cranbrook, Valemount, Prince Rupert and Dawson Creek.
