Hastings County is taking steps to develop and operate a response team for people with special needs.
The county has applied to Ontario Health for $200,100.18 for the development and operation of a Falls and Frailty Response Team in partnership with Quinte Heath.
Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services will respond to approximately 4,000 calls this year for patients who have fallen.
This has become the number one reason an ambulance is requested.
A report to county council this week says it represent 16% of the annual call volume, and yet very few of these individuals require emergent transport to hospital.
Based on the success of several pilot projects in the United Kingdom, that resulted in a 70-80% reduction in the number of patients transported to hospital following a fall, the service proposed the development of a Falls and Frailty Response Team.
The model involves a Community Paramedic and Occupational Therapist in a First Response Vehicle, responding in tandem to an ambulance.
The introduction of an Occupational Therapist, in partnership with Quinte Health, adds a needed skillset allowing for more comprehensive pre-hospital assessment and possible Emergency Department diversion strategies.
As such, Hastings County has responded to Ontario Health East’s request for Health System Funding Proposals aligned with their major healthcare transformation initiatives.
The request for funding is related to the addition of an Occupational Therapist and some specialized lifting equipment. The project aligns with the current Community Paramedic mandate and no further funding was requested to support these activities.
The team would operate 8 hours a day, 7 days a week.
