Keith Tyler and Janis Treleaven are completing their last week of training while also transitioning to their new jobs as Community Paramedics for Bowen Island.
Tyler lives in Horseshoe Bay and has worked as a paramedic for 26 years. Treleaven is a Bowen Islander, and has worked as a paramedic for four years.
The Community Paramedicine program was designed to help rural and small communities fill in gaps in healthcare and also stabilize the staffing of paramedics. So far, it has been rolled out in 73 communities across the province.
Tyler says the training for this job has focused one how to assist people with chronic disease management and long-term care during home-care visits. Treleaven adds that they’ve also learned how to help empower people to manage their health and navigate the health care system.
“People who have recently been given a diagnosis of a chronic or terminal illness tend to feel very isolated, especially in a rural community,” says Treleaven. “We want to connect them with all the resources available to help.”
They say they are in the process of connecting and integrating with local healthcare professionals.
“Referrals to us will come through primary care providers,” says Treleaven. “So if someone thinks they could use our help, talking to their doctor would be the first step.”
Referrals do not need to come from on-island doctors.
Tyler and Treleaven will also be conducting workshops for the community which will be advertised in The Undercurrent, on-line and on leaflets and posters. What those workshops might be, and the specific work they take on will evolve depending on community needs and feedback.
The Community Paramedics are scheduled to work on Bowen Island Tuesdays through Fridays.
