Provincial officials are hoping new patient care models in Chatham-Kent will help reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.
Through the Treat and Refer model of care, paramedics can now treat eligible palliative 9-1-1 callers directly on-scene and refer them to the Chatham-Kent Community Paramedicine Program. Paramedics can also transport patients straight to the Chatham-Kent Hospice for specialized care as part of the Alternate Destination model.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault says the initiative is an important step in making care more accessible and keeping patients closer to home.
“These new patient care models are great news for Chatham-Kent residents,” Pinsonneault said in a news release. “By strengthening the partnership between Chatham-Kent Paramedic Services, Chatham-Kent Hospice and the Community Paramedicine Program, we are helping ensure patients receive timely, compassionate care and support in the setting that best meets their needs.”
This week’s announcement is part of a broader provincial effort granting 57 paramedic services greater flexibility to ease the pressure on local hospitals, including those in Lambton, Windsor, and Essex County.
