British Columbia is improving access to health care in rural and remote communities by enhancing the role of qualified paramedics.
Community Paramedicine in British Columbia was successfully 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, they brought British Columbia's first Community Paramedicine program to life.
In B.C., community paramedicine was designed primarily for rural and remote communities that were often underserved and had aging populations living with chronic and complex diseases. The objectives of the program were to help bridge health service delivery gaps identified in collaboration with local health care teams.
While other provinces have introduced community paramedicine in communities or health facilities, B.C. was the first to implement the model on a province-wide basis.
Community paramedics provide a range of in-home and community services, including:
- Education, support, and monitoring of patients with chronic conditions, including diabetes, COPD, heart failure, hypertension, fragility/falls risk, and palliative conditions
- Home Health Monitoring services, provided in conjunction with TELUS
- Administration of vaccinations, including influenza and COVID
- Wellness clinics, educational events, group exercise classes, and more
- As of April 1, 2025 there are 95 full-time Community Paramedic positions in 92 stations, supporting 105 communities.
- 6 positions are designated Rural Advanced Care Community Paramedics. These communities include Salt Spring Island/Ganges, Port McNeill, Cranbrook, Valemount, Prince Rupert and Dawson Creek.
