19 Aug OAPC Welcomes Expansion of Models of Care
The Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs applauds the Ontario Ministry of Health for expanding the 911 Models of Care pilot programs.
“It was gratifying to hear Minister of Health Sylvia Jones commit to ensuring paramedics are able to deliver the right care, at the right time and at the right place,” said OAPC President Peter Dundas.
The announcement comes as the OAPC met with Minister Jones and Long-Term Care Parliamentary Assistant John Jordan at the 2022 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa this week. The OAPC will continue to work with the Ministry of Health to learn more about how and where the program will be expanded.
The pilot program relieves emergency room pressures by allowing paramedics to treat patients at home without hospital intervention, or to take patients to alternate facilities that are more appropriate for their needs. For example, calls related to mental health and addictions or lower acuity concerns such as simple sprains, can often be better managed by community facilities and urgent care centres.
The Minister said that under the pilot program, patients are receiving care 17 times quicker and 94 per cent didn’t go to the emergency department in the few days after being treated.
“This is a significant impact that paramedics are having to reduce pressure on our health care system. We are ready to evolve our unique role as mobile and agile health professionals. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Minister Jones and the Ontario government toward a more seamless and coordinated system of care,” Chief Dundas said.
Reducing the number of patients being taken to the emergency room will ensure that paramedics can respond to those patients requiring emergency medical care at home or out in the community.