The Ontario government is investing $82.5 million to expand the existing Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program, adding 22 communities, and making it available to all eligible seniors across Ontario.
The announcement, made October 22nd by Long Term Care Minister Rod Phillips, is vindication of an earlier initiative involving Community Paramedics in Renfrew County, according to EMS Chief Mike Nolan.
The program was piloted across five communities in October 2020 and is currently active in 33 communities.
It is fully funded by the provincial government, and provides additional care for seniors in the comfort of their own homes before admission into long-term care.
With the current expansion, the program will be available to all eligible seniors across Ontario- but for the next three years is still tagged with the status of being a “pilot program.”
Nolan is pleased that initiatives originating in Renfrew County are not only inspiring success across Ontario- but are now gaining traction around the world.
The Community Paramedicine program is operated in partnership with municipalities, district social services administration boards and Indigenous communities, and provides access to health services 24-7, through in-home and remote methods.
