The Hastings County Finance, Property and Personnel Committee approved a recommendation to county council to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Long-Term Care to receive one-time funding of $500,000 that would increase community paramedic funding.
The recommendation would normally go to the Emergency Services Committee but due to the nature of the agreement, the recommendation was brought to the Finance, Property and Personnel Committee.
A pilot project was announced by the ministry that would allow existing community paramedic long-term care programs to deliver diagnostic services to residents in the partnering LTC homes including point-of-care blood testing, urinalysis and ultrasound.
In order to participate in the pilot project, the service must partner with at least two long-term care homes and be capable of delivering services 24/7.
The Ministry of Long-Term Care provided the funding to cover all startup and operating costs for the delivery of services until March 31, 2025.
Hastings County Council will look at the recommendation for the agreement at a future meeting.
