Bruce County's paramedicine program has received additional funding from the province.
The program will be getting an additional $2 million from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, as announced in the 2023 Ontario Budget. This will allow for up to $1 million in additional funding for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 fiscal years.
The paramedicine program, which launched in Bruce County in January of 2021, offers innovative community-based rural healthcare and provides routine assessments and vital sign monitoring for patients.
Currently, the program serves over 500 residents in Bruce County, allowing for "increased capacity on LTC waitlists, reduced demand on emergency departments, hospitals, and paramedic services, increased connections to Community Support Services, and allows the elderly to age in place with dignity and respect," according to a release from Bruce County.
“Bruce County Community Paramedicine has been making a real impact across the region over the past two and a half years. This patient-centered, collaborative, and community-based healthcare program serves those with chronic disease and supports their ability to comfortably age in place,” said Paramedic Services Chief Steve Schaus. “By serving and monitoring chronic patients at their homes and in the community, we are reducing pressures on local Emergency Departments and Paramedic Services.”
