Elgin Community Paramedicine Program Improving Health Outcomes and Ensuring Greater Access to Community Care

Central Elgin, ON – The County of Elgin and Elgin EMS proudly celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Community Paramedicine (CP) Program. Delivered by Elgin EMS paramedics and local allied health professionals, the CP Program is ensuring greater access to care for residents living in Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas through a range of preventative and primary care services.

Since its launch in March 2023, the program has improved the lives of medically vulnerable residents, providing care to over 488 patients in the comfort of their homes and completing over 1592 home-based visits. The success of the program has led to an expansion of staff, adding seven new positions, including part-time and full-time paramedics and a new program supervisor to further bring high-quality care to the community.

“At Elgin EMS, our purpose is making a meaningful difference in our community through the delivery of high-quality care. Together with our partners, we have built an amazing program that will continue to grow and assist our community, ensuring everyone has access to the care they need. I am grateful to the Community Paramedicine team for their unwavering dedication and support, the trust they have built with patients, families, and partners, is truly commendable.” says Lyndsey Longeway, Operations Manager, Mobile Integrated Health Programs at Elgin EMS.

The Elgin Community Paramedicine Program has been a collaborative partnership with the County of Elgin focused on delivering healthcare excellence. By complementing existing services and resources available to local residents, the program has effectively eased the strain on the local healthcare system by limiting unnecessary 911 calls and emergency room visits.

“This milestone marks our ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and improving outcomes for our community,” said Warden Ed Ketchabaw. “The one-year anniversary of the Community Paramedicine Program serves as a testament to the dedication of our paramedics and allied healthcare professionals who have tirelessly worked to provide essential care to our residents. Through collaborative efforts and proactive measures, the program has not only alleviated pressure on our healthcare system but has also brought vital services directly to the doorsteps of those in need. As we celebrate this achievement, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a healthier and more resilient community for all.”

Staffed by dedicated community paramedics, the CP Program has brought crucial healthcare services to residents living in seniors’ housing and retirement homes while also offering accessible home-based care for the community’s most vulnerable population. Through proactive health assessments, education, and support, the community paramedics have empowered individuals to better manage their health and wellbeing.

“Being a part of the Community Paramedic Team has opened my eyes to how we can better serve the health needs of people in our community. Having a new set of skills and a program now in place here in Elgin County gives me the opportunity to let them know we can help and refer these patients to our program to get them the support they need” says Dawn Bacon, Supervisor, Mobile Integrated Health Clinical Development, Elgin EMS CP Program.

This program is entirely funded by the province and offered through a referral process, providing:

• In-person and remote patient monitoring services
• Chronic and complex disease monitoring and surveillance
• Medications safety and reconciliation
• In-home visits and point-of-care testing capabilities
• Patient and family navigation, coordinated care planning to various services, agencies and resources

“Having the opportunity to get to know our patients on a much more personal level and support them through the challenges they face has been some of the most rewarding work of my career. I’m excited to be a part it and can’t wait to watch the program grow.” Kim Snell, Primary Care Paramedic, Elgin EMS CP Program.

This program’s success has been further supported by valuable community partnerships including Community Support Services, Home and Community Support Services, primary care physicians, Alzheimer’s Society, St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, and many others.

As the Elgin Community Paramedicine Program enters its second year, Elgin EMS looks forward to working in partnership with the County to make a positive difference in the lives of local residents.