Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Program moves forward with funding from the Province

Cobourg, ON – February 16, 2022 – Northumberland Paramedics will launch a Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Program in the coming weeks following confirmation from the Province of up to $7.5 million in one-time funding between now and 2024.

In November 2021, the Province announced that it would be expanding this program—already operational across 33 Ontario communities—to an additional 22 communities including Northumberland, to deliver innovative home-based care to seniors on the long-term care waitlist. At today’s meeting of County Council, Northumberland Paramedics Chief Susan Brown received approval to execute a funding agreement with the Province. This agreement will cover 100 percent of the program including new vehicles, training, equipment, supplies and – in later phases of the program – the human resources needed to deliver home-based care to eligible seniors.

This investment from the Province will enable Northumberland Paramedics to significantly expand the reach of its existing Community Paramedicine program, delivering services to eligible seniors including:

• Access to health services 24-7, through in-home and remote methods, such as online supports;
• Non-emergency home visits and in-home testing procedures;
• Ongoing monitoring of vital signs to prevent escalation of chronic medical conditions; and
• Assessments, referrals, diagnostic procedures, and point-of care testing.

Northumberland Paramedics will work alongside primary care and home and community care providers to deliver these services, which will be available, through referral, to:

• Those on the waitlist for long-term care;
• Those who have been assessed as eligible for long-term care by a Care Coordinator but are not yet on the waitlist; and
• Those who are soon to be eligible for long-term care.

Early feedback from participating communities indicates reduction in rates of hospital admissions and an increased integration with primary care. The program is fully funded by the provincial government and is operated in partnership with municipalities and District Social Services Administration Boards.

Quotes

“It's extremely exciting that the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program is being launched in the coming weeks. This will be an enormous step towards providing seniors with high-quality care right in their own homes." ~ David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland Peterborough-South

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with our community partners to increase access to high quality in-home services for eligible seniors awaiting admission to long-term care. This program has demonstrated significant value elsewhere in the province, improving quality of life for vulnerable seniors. With funding now in place, we will be finalizing logistics and referral pathways, with plans to have Community Paramedics actively delivering this program for Northumberland residents by April. We look forward to building supportive, collaborative relationships with participating patients and caregivers.” ~ Susan Brown, Chief, Northumberland Paramedics

“This expansion of Northumberland Paramedics’ Community Paramedicine Program is an opportunity to enhance both patient experience and health outcomes for our community, by increasing resources dedicated to helping seniors live safely and comfortably in their own homes for longer periods. We thank the Province for this investment in strengthening health system capacity in Northumberland.” ~ Bob Crate, Warden, Northumberland County

Photo attached

Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care announcement, November 2021: (Left to right) Jim Anderson, Northumberland Paramedics; David Piccini, MPP; Robert Crate, Warden of Northumberland County; Susan Brown, Chief of Northumberland Paramedics; Shannon Coote, Northumberland Paramedics.