Ambulance services across the region are getting an increase in their budget.

Kenora-Rainy Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford has announced a four percent increase for the Kenora District Services Board.

Rickford says the increase is in part recognition of the expanded role paramedics are taking in the health care system.

“Paramedics practice has expanded over the last couple of years, and they have been able to provide some of the kinds of services that people would have to go somewhere else for,” explains Rickford.

“For a lot of seniors, that’s a bit of a challenge, especially in different seasons.”

He says the expansion of the para-medicine program by paramedics has been a game changer for health care.

“The community-based paramedicine that’s going on…we’re getting a lot of great feedback about people who don’t have to leave their homes and certain kinds of medical services are provided by paramedics int he community-based paramedic program.”

This year, the KDSB is getting $15.8 million for its land ambulance service and $5.7 million has been earmarked for the Rainy River District Social Services Board.