Press Release
Jacklyn Stott, County of Renfrew Economic Development Services
RENFREW: Yesterday, the Ministry of Long-Term Care announced that it is investing up to $5 million to launch the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program in five communities across the province, including Renfrew County.
This fully provincially funded program will help eligible seniors on the long-term care waitlists stay safe in the comfort of their own homes and communities for longer and will be operated in partnership with the five municipalities. A phased in approach will be delivered in Brant County, Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, the City of Ottawa, York Region, and Renfrew County. These communities will build upon the success of their existing community paramedicine programs.
Details of the new program were provided today by Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Debbie Robinson, Warden, County of Renfrew, and Chief Michael Nolan, Paramedic Service & Director, Emergency Services, County of Renfrew.
As part of this program County of Renfrew Paramedics will provide:
Access to Remote Patient Monitoring services 24-7;
In-home care and remote monitoring methods;
Online or virtual supports;
Home visits and in-home testing procedures;
Ongoing monitoring of changing or escalating conditions to prevent or reduce paramedic response and reduce Emergency Department visits; and
Connect participants and their families to home care and community supports.
“As we modernize long-term care in Ontario, it is important that we continue to develop innovative approaches to delivering quality healthcare to our loved ones,” said Minister Fullerton. “This program is an excellent example of our government collaborating with partners across the health care system, and we are grateful for these paramedicine practitioners that will allow us to better serve our seniors.”
“Our government is committed to ensuring the mental and physical well-being of our aging population across Ontario and ending hallway healthcare,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke. “This innovative community-focused approach will provide peace of mind for those waiting for long-term care through ongoing and 24/7, non-emergency support, including home visits and remote monitoring that is responsive to changes or escalation of health conditions.”
“The County of Renfrew is pleased to have been chosen to be one of five communities to launch the Community Paramedicine outreach program for our senior population;” said Warden of the County of Renfrew Debbie Robinson. “Waiting for admission to long-term care homes can be challenging for seniors and their caregivers. If our seniors can receive the care they need while remaining in their own homes and communities the benefits will be immense;” she added.
“This innovative partnership between the Ministry of Long-Term Care and Paramedic Services sets out a care framework that will immediately enhance and protect the lives of our most vulnerable neighbours.” Shared Michael Nolan, Chief of Paramedic Services and Director of Emergency Services for the County of Renfrew “Through a proactive and responsive model of Community Paramedic care delivered in homes across Ontario, we will ensure our seniors get the care they need at the right time and in the right place.”
The County of Renfrew Paramedic Service has been a leader in innovation locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Community Paramedicine has been a novel program that has well served the residents and visitors of the County of Renfrew. Since 2008, the Paramedic Service has formally supported a Community Paramedic program to help address health system gaps in care. Community Paramedics are well suited, nimble and flexible members of the healthcare team that help facilitate in home assessments, testing, treatment, follow up care and system navigation for vulnerable people living within our community.
