Paramedics sound alarm over poor Manitoba roads

Manitoba paramedics are joining the chorus of boos over the province's bad roads.

The Manitoba Association of Paramedics says injured patients being transported by ambulance feel every bump and crack in the road.

The association's Eric Glass saidthe roads are in such rough shape it forces paramedics to "constantly revisetheirroutes to hospitals."

• CAA Manitoba launches Worst Roads campaign

The paramedics association has joined forces with CAA Manitoba in pointing out how bad roads can affect health care.

"A bump in the road or a traffic jam may be a nuisance for Manitoba motoristsbut for paramedicsit is a critical factor in accessing and caring for patients during an emergency crisis," stated a joint release from the two groups.

The condition of our roads should not be a factor in how patients are assessed, treated and transported in a time of need, but in this province, it is, Jodi Possia, chair of the Paramedic Association of Manitoba, stated in the release.

Nearly 150,000 patients are transported by ground ambulance each year in Manitoba, according to the paramedics association.

Having to take an alternate route because of traffic congestion or road conditions is a daily issue for paramedics, saidPossia. Poor roads make it very uncomfortable for patients and can limit the procedures we do while en route to the hospital especially while travelling hundreds of kilometres to bring a patient into Winnipeg.

CAA is halfway through its annualWorst Roads campaign and more than 2,700 votes have been cast for some 300 roads in Manitoba.

People can vote online untilApril 23 on the CAAManitoba website, through the link at the left of this page.

After the campaign closes, CAA Manitoba will give the data to all levels of government, hoping to put the top 10 roads on the forefrontof government agendas.