MONTREAL – A new computer-assisted dispatch system for ambulances in Montreal and Laval is facing criticism from frontline paramedics who say it’s causing delays and potentially endangering patients. Urgent Santé replaced the decade-old system in May, aiming to modernize operations and prepare for future technological advancements, including the ability to receive 911 calls via video and text.

However, five paramedics, speaking anonymously due to contractual restrictions, told CBC News that the new system, known as CAD or RAO, is plagued with issues. They report instances of ambulances being dispatched to calls that had already been resolved, and multiple ambulances being sent to the same incident, diverting resources from other emergencies.

"If an ambulance is sent twice on the same call, obviously that second ambulance that could be used somewhere else is causing delays for other calls," one paramedic explained. Some have even described arriving at a scene prepared to force entry, only to find the patient had already been transported by another team.

Urgent Santé acknowledges there have been “growing pains” and “glitches,” particularly with duplicate calls resurfacing in the system, but insists patient care has not been impacted. They state a team is working 24/7 to address technical issues. The union representing paramedics, Syndical du Préhospitalier, strongly disagrees, stating the system is causing “significant delays.” They also report issues with GPS accuracy, making it difficult for dispatchers to locate ambulances.

In a separate development, Manitoba is actively working to address a severe shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas. Prairie Mountain Health has recruited Dr. Moazam Raza, an internationally trained physician from Pakistan and the U.S., to practice in Minidosa. He is one of seven new hires in southwestern Manitoba recruited through the University of Manitoba’s medical licensure program.

The province ranks second last in Canada for physicians per capita, according to Doctors Manitoba. Recruiters are actively seeking doctors from abroad, with a recent success story involving husband and wife doctors Shams and Ola Usman, who previously worked in Nigeria and have settled in Killarney, Manitoba. The arrival of the Usmans has been welcomed by the community of 3000, which will now have five doctors serving the area.