Toronto Ombudsman

For Immediate Release

 Ombudsman says Toronto’s Paramedics and Dispatchers Need More Support

Toronto – Nov. 13, 2015

The City of Toronto Ombudsman says the Toronto Paramedic Services need to do more to help paramedics and dispatchers suffering emotional and psychological stress as a result of their job.

Fiona Crean today released “Making the Strong Stronger: An Investigation into How the Toronto Paramedic Services Address Operational Stress injuries,” her final report as the City’s Ombudsman.

“The human suffering and trauma they deal with every day exact a heavy toll on our paramedics and dispatchers,” says Crean. “They report a higher than average incidence of operational stress injuries such as depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug dependency, and post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.”

“The Toronto Paramedic Services already have an in-house psychologist,” says the Ombudsman, “making it a leader in the field. But it must be more coordinated in its approach, if it is to fight the stigma surrounding psychological problems that exist not just inside the organization, but in society at large.”

The City of Toronto Ombudsman is making 26 recommendations to improve the support available for TPS employees dealing with operational stress injuries. They include: 

• Making improvements to the coordination and communication of the psychological health and wellness plan.
• Reviewing the current role and services provided by the in-house psychologist and how it fits within the larger psychological health and wellness plan.
• Providing training on suicide prevention and intervention strategies
• Establishing a formal relationship with the City’s Employee Assistance Program in order to enhance psychological services.
• Considering an off-site location where employees can meet with the psychologist without fear of recognition.

“We received excellent cooperation from Toronto Paramedic Services throughout our investigation,” says Crean. “TPS is widely considered to be a leader among emergency medical services in addressing operational stress injuries. But it is not doing as much as it could, or should, to address the problem.”

                                                                                                             

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 For more information or to arrange interviews, contact:

Lauren Hollywood

Office of the Ombudsman

City of Toronto

Office:  416-392-7065