New $$$ for at-home paramedic programs
Quinte Paramedic Services is applying for new funding for at-home programs through the pandemic.
The service already has an agreement with Quinte Healthcare to support a community paramedic program but is only able to offer this care based on the 24 hours a week of funding currently being received.
Now, with the ongoing pressures of COVID-19, the provincial government is establishing high intensity supports for at-home programs to patients requiring supplemental Community Paramedicine services.
High Intensity Supports At-Home Program patients refers to patients in acute care hospitals with long-term care home discharge.
The goal of this program would be to increase the hours of community paramedics above the 24 hours a week to approximately 42 hours.
New emergency Services building coming
There could be a new emergency services building in the Centre Hastings area over the next two years.
Chief of Paramedic Services Doug Socha told the Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services Committee Wednesday that he hopes next year’s budget will include recommendations for a building for ambulances and paramedics.
Questioned by Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy, Socha said he hopes construction will begin in 2021, with move-in planned for the following year.
