Summary
Today Minister Fullerton announced up to $15 million to expand the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program. This initiative will help more seniors on long-term care waitlists stay safe while living in the comfort of their own homes for a longer period of time.
As a first step, we are inviting communities to express their interest in expanding their existing provincially funded community paramedicine programs to include long-term care. Communities that meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to submit an implementation plan and proposed budget, outlining how they will administer a larger Community Paramedicine program this fiscal year.
At this point in the process, we are asking you to connect with your Mayors and/or Regional Chairs, whichever applies to your riding, to encourage them to express interest in participating in the program, which is funded by the province. A backgrounder listing the eligible communities is attached to this email.
There will be an opportunity for a local announcement once your community applies and their project is approved. At that point, our office will reach out to you again with a local news release and speaking remarks to support your formal announcement.
Key Messages
- The Ontario government is investing up to $15 million to expand the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program, helping more seniors on long-term care waitlists stay safe in the comfort of their own homes and communities for longer.
- The government is inviting communities to express their interest in building upon their existing provincially funded community paramedicine programs. Communities that meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to submit an implementation plan and proposed budget, outlining how they will implement the program in this fiscal year.
- The long-term care focused community paramedicine program provides our seniors, their families and caregivers peace of mind while waiting for a long-term care bed and potentially delays the need for long-term care.
- Expanding the program across the province will ensure more people can access community paramedicine services from their own homes, which is particularly important given the impact COVID-19 has had on long-term care capacity across the province.
- The program will help maintain stability for those waiting for long-term care through ongoing and 24/7 non-emergency support, including home visits and remote monitoring that is responsive to changes or escalation in their health conditions. These services will complement the home and community care services they are receiving.
- This program is another way the government is collaborating with our health system partners to provide innovative services in support of our goal to end hallway health care in Ontario and build a 21st century long-term care system, while also responding to the impact COVID-19 has had on the sector.
- The program is fully funded by the provincial government and operated in partnership with municipalities and District Social Services Administration Boards.