Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker say the Community Paramedicine Program for Long-Term Care is expanding to communities in Bruce County.
It is fully funded by the provincial government and already operational across 33 Ontario communities.
Thompson says the program helps seniors with 24/7 access to health care and enhanced at-home supports, which is expected to reduce visits to the emergency departments and hospitalizations.
“The Bruce County Community Paramedicine program has been successful and well received. Our Program has focused on palliative patients with an identified advanced care plan, as well as community crisis patients and high-risk seniors that are waiting for Long Term Care, having significant medical needs, or having strained caregiver supports. We look forward to continuing to provide care to all our residents in Bruce County that require this much needed program,” said Bruce County Paramedic Chief Steve Schaus.
The program was first piloted across five communities in October 2020.
The program works alongside primary care and home and community care.
As of June 2021, more than 38,000 people were on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed in Ontario.