Ontario Investing $5.3 Million to Expand Paramedicine Program to Long-Term Care in Halton

Investment will help more seniors stay in their own homes longer

                                                                                                                           February 18, 2021

HALTON REGION – Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North-Burlington and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care, announced today that the Ontario Government is investing $5.3 million to establish the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program in Halton Region. This new program will help more seniors on long-term care waitlists stay safe while living in the comfort of their own homes for longer.

This program uses the skills of paramedics to help end hallway health care and provide additional care for seniors. The first phase of this program was announced in October 2020, in partnership with five communities.

The new provincial funding will help Halton paramedics provide services such as:

The Ontario Government funds community paramedicine as part of our plan to offer people the medical services they need, helping end hallway health care and building a 21st century long-term care system. We work with local hospitals, health workers and paramedics in this program and as part of our response to COVID-19, which has had a great impact on seniors and their families.

Quotes from Halton MPPs

“Expanding paramedicine in Halton Region means more of our loved ones can access quality medical services from paramedics. With 38,000 people on long-term care waiting lists in Ontario, this new program will help keep more seniors out of hospitals and in their own home longer.” – MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Oakville North-Burlington

“Today’s announcement is great news for the many seniors in our community. This support will help ensure they receive the care they need in a timely manner. I am proud that our government continues to follow through on our promise to address hallway healthcare.” – MPP Parm Gill, Milton

“Our government is committed to tackling the growing long-term care waitlists. I am pleased that the government is providing further support for residents in Oakville with this $5.3 million investment to expand the long-term care community paramedicine program. More Oakville residents will receive the care they need while being able to stay at home longer.” – MPP Stephen Crawford, Oakville

Quote from Gary Carr, Chair of Halton Region

“On behalf of Regional Council, we are very pleased with the Provincial announcement that Halton Region will receive $5.3 million in funding to support expansion of our Community Paramedicine Program to support long-term care,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.

“We are extremely fortunate to have community paramedics who work every day to keep our community safe by delivering critical services to older adults living in subsidized seniors’ buildings in communities across the region. By expanding this program to residents awaiting long-term care, we are able to provide these important services to more people to help support their overall health and well-being. Thank you to the Ministry of Long-Term Care for supporting our expansion of this program in Halton to support older adults who need it most.”

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Media Contact: David Lancaster, Executive Assistant to MPP Triantafilopoulos

                           david.lancaster@pc.ola.org