High praise for a community-based care project involving Chatham-Kent paramedics.
Chatham-Kent EMS recently received the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada Award of Excellence for Innovative Treatment and Technology for its Pathway2Care initiative.
Pathway2Care is a collaborative outreach initiative supporting individuals aged 16 and older experiencing homelessness. The program, which involves Chatham-Kent EMS, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Housing Services Department, Reach Out Chatham-Kent, the Lambton-Kent branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, and Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team, improves health and social outcomes through coordinated outreach, healthcare navigation, hospital-to-community transitions, and strong cross-sector partnerships.
In its first two years, Pathway2Care completed 955 patient assessments through community and encampment outreach, achieved a 77% reduction in 911 utilization among clients, diverted 132 emergency department visits, and connected individuals to housing, health, and social supports through 292 partner-agency referrals.
“Pathway2Care is built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to supporting some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals,” said Peter Morassutti, General Manager and Paramedic Chief, Chatham-Kent EMS. “This award is a recognition of the dedication of every partner involved and the meaningful impact this work is having in Chatham-Kent.”
The honour was presented during the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada Summit in Calgary on June 4. The awards recognize leadership, innovation, collaboration, and excellence in community paramedicine and Mobile Integrated Health Care.
