The Ontario Government is launching new 9-1-1 models of care to now cover 33 municipalities across the province. The Regional Paramedic Program of Eastern Ontario, which includes Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services and Lennox and Addington Paramedic Service will see palliative care patients calling 9-1-1 having the option to be treated on-scene for pain and symptom management, including pain or dyspnea, hallucinations or agitation, terminal congested breathing, and nausea or vomiting. Following treatment on-scene, the patients will then have the option for paramedics to coordinate the patient’s follow-up care directly with the patient’s primary palliative care provider or with a local hospice for further treatment and wrap-around care.
“This is a tremendous step forward in personalizing care,” said H-L&A MPP Daryl Kramp. “It will help those who need care immediately and also help preserve hospital beds for those needing to be admitted.”
Doug Socha, chief of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services says their trained personnel are ready.
“We are ready and eager to participate in this new innovative model of care,” he said. “All paramedics have been trained specifically in palliative care, and will be working closely with palliative care teams to offer these patients the support in their homes. Under our prior model the only transport option was to the emergency department. This new model of care will have paramedics consider additional on-scene medications and other supportive measures in an effort to avoid the emergency department, while developing a follow-up care plan.”
Lennox and Addington County Paramedic Services chief Mark Schjerning agrees with his neighbour.
“This will make a big difference for people who need help right away.”
The new models of care ensure paramedics have more options to provide safe and appropriate treatment for patients while helping to protect hospital capacity as the province continues to respond to the third wave of COVID-19.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen more than ever how critical it is for patients to receive timely and effective care – when and where they need it,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As Ontario’s hospitals face unprecedented capacity pressures during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, these new models of care will enable our world-class paramedics to support our most vulnerable patients in the most appropriate setting, while avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits.”
