Over $3 million in funding geared to expanding community paramedicine in Grey County

NEWS RELEASE
BRUCE-GREY-OWEN SOUND MPP BILL WALKER
*************************
The Ontario authorities is investing $3,250,000 million to develop the Neighborhood Paramedicine for Lengthy-Time period Care program in Gray County.

This initiative will assist extra seniors on long-term care waitlists keep secure whereas residing within the consolation of their very own properties for longer.

Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound MPP Invoice Walker, was joined by Minister of Lengthy-Time period Care the Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, officers from Gray County and Dr. Bruce Stanners for the digital announcement of the brand new funding on Friday, March 12.

“That is terrific information for our native space. Gray County has completed glorious work with their Neighborhood Paramedicine Program and I’m thrilled by this funding from our authorities to develop this initiative,” mentioned MPP Walker. “I need to thank Minister Fullerton for her dedication to supporting our seniors by means of this program that can guarantee they’re in a position keep in their very own properties longer.”

The long-term care centered Neighborhood Paramedicine program leverages the talents of neighborhood paramedic suppliers to assist finish hallway well being care and supply extra look after seniors. The primary section of this program was announced in October 2020, in partnership with 5 communities. This growth will assist preserve seniors secure, whereas delaying the necessity for long-term care by offering enhanced at-home helps.

“The Neighborhood Paramedicine program gives our seniors, their households and caregivers peace of thoughts whereas ready for a long-term care area,” mentioned Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Lengthy-Time period Care. “Increasing this system throughout the province signifies that extra of our family members can entry providers from their very own properties, probably even delaying the necessity for long-term care, whereas nonetheless offering the standard care and repair they want and deserve.”

This system will likely be delivered by means of native communities, offering:

• Entry to well being providers 24-7, by means of in-home and distant strategies, comparable to on-line or digital helps;
• Non-emergency dwelling visits and in-home testing procedures;
• Ongoing monitoring of adjusting or escalating circumstances to stop or cut back emergency incidents;
• Extra training about wholesome residing and managing power ailments; and
• Connections for members and their households to dwelling care and neighborhood helps.

“Understanding funding will proceed to 2024 is nice information, however understanding funding is rising to help greater than double our present affected person rely is implausible, and a real testomony to the worth of this service,” mentioned Gray County Warden Selwyn Hicks.

“The energy of our program has been the relationships established with main care and the combination into their well being group mannequin.  We’re wanting ahead to this chance offered by the Ministry of Lengthy-Time period Care which can permit us to assist extra sufferers throughout the County by increasing {our relationships} to different main care suppliers, well being groups, neighborhood well being centres, Indigenous well being centres and different system companions,” mentioned Gray County Director of Paramedic Companies Kevin McNab.

The Neighborhood Paramedicine program is yet one more approach Ontario is collaborating with our well being system companions to supply progressive providers and finish hallway well being care, construct a twenty first Century long-term care system, and reply to the influence COVID-19 has had on seniors and their households.

*************************