Bruce County Paramedic Services is now providing Community Paramedicine until March 31, 2021 using Ontario Health (West) LHIN funding.

The Community Paramedicine Program focuses on palliative patients with an identified advanced care plan, as well as community crisis patients and high-risk seniors that are waiting for Long Term Care, having significant medical needs, or having strained caregiver supports. Two full-time Paramedics cover the County on a rotating basis, 12 hours per day, 7 days per week, using a specialized vehicle to provide these Community Paramedicine services. If the County receives future funding, additional services could also include supporting high users of Paramedic Services who have uncontrolled chronic conditions (like Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Congestive heart failure, or Geri-psychiatric disorders).

Chief Steve Schaus says, “We are very excited to join the other services in Ontario that provide Community Paramedicine. We look forward to providing care to all our residents in Bruce County that require this much needed program. We are also very hopeful that additional funding will become available in the coming months so that we can continue and build on our Community Paramedicine Program.”

At their January 14, 2021 committee meeting, the Paramedic Services Committee approved that a Community Paramedicine Program be implemented with $123,241.67 in funding from Ontario Health (West) LHIN, with hopes that provincial funding will extend the program.

source: media release, Bruce County