Bruce County is expanding its paramedicine program.
The county received funding from the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care last year to enhance its paramedicine program with an expanded focus on patients who are waiting for long term care placement in the community or who may be soon eligible.
The Community Paramedicine program in the county was launched in early 2021 with funding from Ontario Health West. Its original mandate was to support the palliative care population, seniors with increased needs, and patients who have difficulties accessing primary care or who benefit from more frequent connections to the healthcare system.
The county says often these patients have multiple comorbidities, are attempting to manage chronic health conditions, and face other challenging social determinants of health.
The program works to complete both in-person and virtual visits which include physical assessments, vital sign monitoring, diagnostic tests or procedures, and point of care testing. Paramedics are also able to complete home safety scans, fall risk evaluations, and other proactive and preventative evaluations to keep residents in their homes safe.
Paramedic Services Chief Steve Schaus says community paramedicine is an evolving model of patient care that utilizes a paramedic’s skills, knowledge, and mobile nature to enhance existing models of care in the community.
“Palliative patients, community crisis patients, and high-risk seniors awaiting long term care in Bruce County are supported by the care provided through our Community Paramedicine program,” says Schaus.
During the initial year of the program, paramedics were able to collaborate with local Family Health Teams and Organizations, area Hospitals, and Home and Community Care Support Services to serve over 300 patients in the community, according to the county.
The program has not only resulted in system-wide impacts, but also reassured patients, their families and caregivers.
The program will be expanding into the Saugeen Shores area, and through further provincial funding, the program will continue to grow and serve those in Bruce County in new ways.
For those looking to see if they are eligible to receive support from the program, residents can contact their primary care provider, or their home and community care support services care coordinator.
If residents do not have a primary care provider or care coordinator, they can contact 519-881-1291 to speak with the Community Paramedicine team assistant for further details.
