BCEHS millions over budget, cracking down on overtime [Video]

BC Emergency Health Services is cracking down on overtime in a cost-cutting measure, leaving more ambulances than usual unstaffed as front-line workers fear patients will face even longer delays. 

Several sources tell CTV News that BCEHS is running a budget shortfall of some $200 million, and on Wednesday, the agency did not dispute the figure, nor address how deep in the red it is.

The paramedics’ union is warning the Jan. 1 change in overtime policy is already impacting frontline workers, since many unfilled shifts are left vacant and fewer staff are fielding the same volume of calls, which is likely to lead to further burnout.

“(EHS) made several changes to how they’re filling open ambulance spots and that’s leading to a lot of ambulances sitting empty, province-wide,” said Ian Tait, communications officer for the Ambulance Paramedics of BC.

He says the union is facing a barrage of concerns from members pressured to …