Program provides care for seniors waiting for a long-term care bed
NEWS October 22, 2021
BRANTFORD – The Ontario government is expanding the province’s Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program to Six Nations Paramedics Service. This program, which is fully funded by the provincial government and already operational across 33 Ontario communities, is being expanded to 22 more, including Six Nations Paramedic Services. The program was first piloted across five communities in October 2020.
“Our government is fixing Ontario’s long-term care system and improving the care seniors receive is a key part of our plan,” said Will Bouma, MPP of Brantford-Brant. “The expansion of the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program to Six Nations Paramedics Service will support local seniors by providing them high-quality care when and where they need in their own homes, while they wait for a bed in long-term care.”
“As a community, we see the connection between all of our services as a continuum of care for our people,” said Lori Davis Hill, Director, Six Nations Health Services. “This permanent funding realizes Six Nations Health Services long term goal of providing Six Nations own Community Paramedicine as part of our buffet of services, connecting the care to those who need it, at home. Nya:weh on behalf of Six Nations of the Grand River.”
The program works alongside primary care and home and community care to provide the following services to eligible seniors:
- 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.
“We at the Six Nations Paramedic Service are excited to deliver this new program to our community,” said Six Nations Paramedic Service Chief David Skye. “We have been working hard to get this new program up and running for the people of Six Nations of the Grand River territory”.
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.
QUICK FACTS
- As of June 2021, more than 38,000 people were on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed in Ontario.
- In December 2020, Ontario launched the long-term care Staffing Plan, which centers around the province’s commitment of delivering an average of four hours of care per resident per day. To meet this commitment, the government is investing $4.9 billion over the next four years to help create 27,000 new positions for PSWs and nurses in long-term care. This funding will also support a 20 per cent increase in direct care time by allied health professionals including physiotherapists and social workers over the next two years.
- The long-term care Staffing Plan also responds to recommendations from Justice Gillese’s Public Inquiry Report on the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System, and recommendations from Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission, in addition to submissions from key long-term care organizations and other partners.
Additional Resources:
- Ontario Launches Innovative Solution to Improve Long-Term Care
- Ontario Expands Existing Community Paramedicine Programs to Long-Term Care
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or [email protected]