Reducing Hallway Medicine One Senior At A Time*

Above image: (L-R)Chief of Northumberland Paramedics Susan Brown, patient Bruce Gilley & MPP David Piccini

A Northumberland man who lives alone says he has a “sense of security” since he has been relying on the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program, a pilot project that has expanded county-wide.

A former school principal, Bruce Gilley, says paramedics from the program visit him twice a month for a medical check up and every 30 days he gets a Vitamin B shot. He knows how important this care is for both his physical and mental health, and he shared his views at the launch of the expanded service for seniors.

“It’s clear this program is hitting the mark in Northumberland,” the County’s Deputy Warden and Cramahe Mayor, Mandy Martin, said during the official kick off of the expansion of the home-based care program for seniors. It reduces the number of seniors going to the emergency department and hospitals admissions. Overall it is “reducing hallway medicine,” she said, while helping people in their own homes.

Northumberland has a higher number of seniors within in its border than the provincial average, she said, noting that the service, which received funding this past February to expand, has already helped 300 people.

Now, according to the Chief of Northumberland Paramedics Susan Brown, with the $7.5-million from the province there will be a full-scale service that senior community members across Northumberland can access by calling 1-833-718-1942 (or reach on line in order to register via Northumberland.ca/CPprogram).

This funding continues the program until March 2024 and includes the cost of extra specialized training for paramedics who provide these services.

The program includes, according to a media release:

• 24/7 access to in-home and remote health services;

• non-emergency home visits;

* in-home testing, i.e. blood pressure, EEGs, blood draws and blood glucose readings, oxygen saturation tests, etc.

* ongoing monitoring of vital signs for chronic medical conditions and;

* assessments, referrals, diagnostic procedures and point-of-care testing.

These services are for those “soon” to be eligible for long-term care and/or are on a wait list.

The same kind of service for vulnerable people across the County has been in place in Northumberland since 2020, Brown said in a response to a question from the News Now Network.

MPP Piccini noted the importance of partnerships, working with other health care providers, to launch and maintain these programs, as well as the “incredible paramedics of our community.”

Senior call line for the program: 1-833-718-1942 or go on line to register Northumberland.ca/CPprogram

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