New funding coming to Peel Paramedics for senior care in Brampton
Published March 16, 2021 at 2:48 pm
New funding for Peel Paramedic Services will help provide care for seniors with health issues who continue to live in their own homes.
The $9.75 million in funding from the Ministry of Long-Term Care will be used by local paramedics to improve coordinated and accessible care for seniors in Peel Region in partnership with the Region of Peel Seniors Services Development and other health system partners. The goal is to build an enhanced ‘made in Peel’ Community Paramedicine Program that will be integrated with other coordinated care efforts.
The program will see paramedics and Ontario Health Teams work with local health system partners to deliver “comprehensive wraparound care.” Paramedics will be able to expand existing programming, providing services to more seniors waiting for residence in long-term care, or who require ongoing health care and want to receive it in the comfort of their current homes.
“Our paramedics have always been advocates and leaders in community paramedicine. It is a service long identified as a way we can bring vital healthcare to seniors in our communities, supporting them to stay safe and healthy at home,” said Peter Dundas, Chief and Director of Peel Paramedic Services, in a statement.
“The announcement of this funding marks a milestone for our service and will help forever change the way we contribute to the healthcare needs of seniors who are not only transitioning into long-term care but who are eligible for it and can remain comfortable at home if receiving the right medical supports,” added Dundas.
Paramedics say Community Paramedicine will help by providing medical supports and connections for high-risk senior populations, reducing the number of 911 calls and providing in-home visits and care to those waiting for a place in long-term care.
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“The opportunity to expand medical services to seniors at home will support a vision of more personalized care for one of our most vulnerable and important populations,” said Dr. Sudip Saha, Senior Medical Director for Long Term Care and Senior Services for the Region of Peel, in a statement.
“This funding will help ensure our paramedics can enhance their contribution to wraparound care for seniors, delaying or eliminating the need for long term care home placement,” he added.
The funding will become available this month and will extend through 2024.
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