Would serve Manitoulin’s far West End
SHESHEGWANING—Sheshegwaning First Nation is looking for support from other Western Manitoulin municipalities and First Nations on its proposal to have a Western Manitoulin ambulance satellite hub that would be located in Sheshegwaning.
“Right now, when someone suffers a medical incident in Sheshegwaning, Meldrum Bay or Silver Water, we have to wait for an ambulance to come from Gore Bay. But if the ambulance in Gore Bay is out on a call, it could be even further, so that is quite a distance for an ambulance to arrive from,” said Joan Sheppard, executive director of Sheshegwaning First Nation.
To address the gaps in service Western Manitoulin receives, the concept being proposed is to establish a dedicated paramedic service in Sheshegwaning First Nation that will serve the Western Manitoulin region. Sheshegwaning believes this initiative is both timely and critical for the Western Manitoulin community.
“Western Manitoulin faces significant challenges in accessing timely and effective emergency medical services,” a letter sent out from Sheshegwaning to neighbouring communities reads. “The current limitations in EMS response times and healthcare availability put our residents at unnecessary risk, particularly in emergency situations where every minute counts. Establishing a dedicated paramedic service will not only improve response times but also provide essential health support to our community members, enhancing overall public health and well-being.”
The proposal notes several key strengths that make it a worthy investment including being a community-centred approach, improved health outcomes, comprehensive service as well as economic and social benefits.
Ms. Sheppard said, “we are in very preliminary discussions right now with the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (DSB) on our proposal. We have had a meeting with Robert Smith, chief of paramedic services and Travis Dewar, deputy chief of paramedic services with the DSB. At this point it is very preliminary and we are just exploring what and if any opportunities there are to have an ambulance satellite hub located in Sheshegwaning.”
“This proposal was discussed a few years ago in hopes of addressing gaps in service. So, we are revisiting this now,” said Ms. Sheppard. “It would be wonderful for all Western Manitoulin if we had access to these services,” she said noting that in preliminary discussions with DSB paramedic services the response so far has been positive.”
“We are reaching out to our neighbouring communities in Robinson and Dawson townships and Zhiibaahaasing First Nation to start garnering ding letters of support from our neighbours to the proposal,” said Ms. Sheppard.
