Medics in minivans are poised to make a difference in assessing and treating 911 patients whose conditions are non-urgent but require medical care.

A partnership between Island Health and BC Emergency Health Services, which oversees the BC Ambulance Service, is creating alternate pathways for patients with Link and Referral Units (LARU).

The units feature single paramedics responding in minivans who assess and treat patients who may not require an emergency room visit, and could be served at one of six Greater Victoria urgent and primary care centres (UPCC).

鈥淭he main goal for LARU paramedics is to link non-urgent 911 patients with the most appropriate care within the health care system, which may be a UPCC,鈥� said Kayla Welwood, manager, low acuity and integrated care, BC Emergency Health Services. 鈥淭here are so many phenomenal services beyond that of emergency departments, and it only makes sense to synergize them whenever possible.鈥�

The partnership is borne of a BCEHS pilot unit in 2020 and has since expanded to 18 throughout the province, including Victoria and Nanaimo. The partnership within Island Health was initiated in May to optimize the care provided for lower acuity patients in the 911 system. It is available to emergency ambulances as well, when appropriate.

鈥淚nnovation in today鈥檚 health-care landscape is so important. Anything we can do to support patients and emergency departments by leveraging our resources is excellent,鈥� said Antony Neale, a registered nurse at the West Shore UPCC. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to see the partnership expand further moving forward.鈥�

Since the partnership began, 84 patients have been transported to UPCCs in Greater Victoria. One of them was a tourist who became injured while visiting Vancouver Island and was taken to a UPCC for treatment, instead of a local emergency department.

鈥淭he patient had their injury assessed and treated so they could safely continue their trip without fear of infection,鈥� said LARU paramedic Tamara Tulloch, a paramedic of 14 years. 鈥淚t was a really positive experience for them to feel like they were well supported along their unexpected medical journey. Having this pathway to the UPCCs eliminates the level of anxiety that can result from a hospital visit.鈥�

When south Island patients dial 911 for the BC Ambulance Service, the call is triaged by a medical call-taker and then potentially, further triaged by secondary triage paramedics. If the call falls within guidelines and a LARU is the most appropriate resource for the patient, a paramedic is dispatched to perform a clinical assessment and discuss options for care.

鈥淯ltimately, the end goal is a better experience for the patient. This partnership allows us to work with our UPCC colleagues to determine options other than the ED and help make decisions that are beneficial for patients,鈥� said LARU paramedic Derek Gytenbeek, who has more than five years experience. 鈥淚 really value the open and honest conversations we regularly have with UPCC staff about what we have learned and improvements that can be made to the health-care system.鈥�