Paramedics being trained to provide palliative support to patients at home

HALIFAX -- Paramedics in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are being trained to help palliative patients manage their pain at home.

Dr. Alix Carter of Emergency Health Services says the changes will help people stay at home rather than go into emergency rooms when they're experiencing pain.

He says paramedics will be trained to provide the palliative support a patient wants.

Otherwise, patients are often taken by ambulance to hospital.

The 1,400 ground-ambulance paramedics in the provinces will be able to manage such symptoms as pain, breathlessness, fear and anxiety.

The project will start in early May.