The Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care (CPLTC) program is now permanent and will expand its services with $89-million in new funding from the Ontario government.
The program offers 24/7 access to non-emergency medical support, including routine diagnostic procedures, at-home treatments, and remote monitoring, helping more seniors age safely in their own homes. Community paramedics are able to deliver needed healthcare within hours or days.
Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta made the announcement at the Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus, joined by Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, Barrie–Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, County of Simcoe Warden Basil Clarke and other local officials.
“Since launching in 2020 and expanding across the province in late 2022, the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program has served more than 81,000 people and provided more than 310,000 hours of direct care to Ontario seniors,” Kusendova-Bashta said.
She emphasized her experience as a nurse in busy emergency rooms as an example of why strengthening the CPLTC program is vital.
“As someone who worked as a nurse in the emergency room, I can tell you without any doubt that our vulnerable residents don’t want to be waiting in an ER,” she said.
“They want to receive the services they need at home. With this program, we’re enabling exactly that.”
Downey said making the CPLTC permanent will benefit not only individuals who need at-home health care but their families as well.
“I’m thrilled. When I think about the impact this has, it’s not just on individuals in their homes — it’s their family members who are worrying about them,” he said.
“It’s compassionate care in the health system, generally in emergency rooms, allowing us to do what we should in those cases and what we can do in other cases.”
Khanjin shared stories of constituents in her riding as examples of how the CPLTC program will make a difference.
“There are individuals who love this program. One person I visited has lupus — this is a game changer for him. A woman just down the street is on dialysis — this is a game changer for her as well,” she said.
“This is something that hasn’t been done in decades. We have the drive, the passion, and every dollar invested in health care leads to better outcomes.
”The new annual funding will also expand CPLTC services to the Independent First Nations Alliance, including Pikangikum, and support Weenusk First Nation through the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.
