Huron County's Chief of Emergency Services says there was some disappointing news, but also some good news for him in the provincial budget.
Jeff Horseman says they were hoping for some news regarding the Community Paramedicine Program that is funded through Ontario Health and is called Community Paramedicine Expanded. Horseman says that program deals with the high-intensity supports that are required for people who live on social assistance or require high intensity supports in-home, or people who have mobility issues and can't get to the doctor or the hospital. And he says that was not announced.
But Horseman says what the Province did confirm in the budget was funding for their Community Paramedicine Long-Term Care Program.
“That's a program that specifically deals with giving 24/7 access to clients in-home who are on the waiting list for long term care or that we're trying to help stay in home longer without the need for long term care home beds," shared Horseman.
Horseman says starting in the 2024 – 2025 budget, funding for that program will be extended for two years.
“Starting in the 2024 – 2025 budget, so that's a two-year extension to our program. So actually we'll have confirmed funding under that program until March 31st of 2026," Horseman added.