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Skip Navigation LinksSimcoe County > Departments > Paramedic Services > Community Paramedicine

Community Paramedicine

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Com​munity Paramedicine (CP) Programs

Community paramedicine programsCommunity Paramedicine programs provide opportunities for Paramedics to apply their training and skills in the community outside of their traditional 911 emergency response role.  CP programs promote Paramedics to work in collaboration with other health care professionals and community agencies to connect patients with needed health and community services. These connections assist patients to participate in their care, maintain independence and promote involvement in their communities.

Community Paramedicine goals include:

  • Improving quality of life and well-being
  • Reduce patient exacerbations and crisis requiring 911 response
  • Reduce emergency department visits and hospital admissions
  • Collaborate with patients' family doctors reducing the need for clinic visits

Examples of Community Paramedicine programs available within the County of Simcoe include:

  • Outreach services for frequent 911 callers,
  • In home chronic disease management including preventative care and education,
  • Connection to relevant health/social resources and services in the community, and
  • Health care system navigation

A strategic plan is underway for Community Paramedicine to look for growth and development opportunities throughout the County of Simcoe. 

Please click the links below to find out more about our exciting Community Paramedicine Programs.

Paramedic Referral Program

The County of Simcoe Paramedic Referral Program is initiated by Paramedics in the field identifying health and social needs with patients that they visit on 911 calls. In discussion with the patient, Paramedics help connect them with health services and other community resources in order to improve their; independence, ability to thrive at home, and to assist with social needs as necessary.  The Community Paramedicine Coordinator, receives the referral and helps the patient navigate the community health care system and ensures that the patient's needs are met whenever possible.    

The Paramedic Referral Program has built strong partnerships in community healthcare and has referred over 3000 patients to help meet their social and health care needs since the program rolled out across the County in 2015.  Over 60% of referrals result in the patient receiving one or more services, depending on the needs of the individual.  It is common for patients to have multiple service needs. An analysis of 911 calls for referred patients six months prior to and six month post enrolment in the program has been performed, and showed patients who received new or increased services had a 30% reduction in 911 calls six months after the Paramedic referral.

211 Ontario Partnership

The County of Simcoe has strengthened an existing partnership with 211 Ontario by building them into the Paramedic Referral Program. For patients in need of social or community support services, 211 Ontario provides system navigation and performs additional service referrals. The County of Simcoe Paramedic Service alongside 211 Ontario have been working to serve and adapt to the changing needs of the community.

In Ontario, 2-1-1 is an easy to remember three-digit phone number to help people connect to community, social, health and government services in their own community.  2-1-1 is staffed by Community Navigators who help people identify, understand and effectively use the programs that are part of the human services delivery system.  Community Navigators advocate on behalf of those who need special support, and they conduct follow up in situations where someone is a risk and/or vulnerable.  Community Navigators are prepared to assess and meet the immediate, short-term needs of inquirers who are experiencing a crisis.  The bilingual service is available 24/7 and has interpretation support in more than 150 languages. 

Learn more about 211 Ontario or search for services at https://www.simcoe.ca/SocialServices/Pages/211-ontario.aspx

Community Paramedicine Home Visit Program

​The Community Paramedic Home Visit program began as a pilot in Ramara Township to see if Paramedic response times to 911 calls could be improved and if the local family health team would be willing to partner in a home visit program for their chronic disease patients. The pilot was successful in reducing response times and added value by providing patients with chronic disease management. The Community Paramedicine Home Visit pilot was made a permanent resource in 2017.

The County of Simcoe Community Paramedicine Home Visit Program supports patients to stay healthy and independent in their own homes. The program offers integrated, in-home care by Community Paramedics. Community Paramedics receive additional training and specialize in CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Diabetes. They maintain a direct connection with the patient's Primary Care Provider and can minimize the need for 9-1-1 calls and hospital visits.

The program is offered throughout the County of Simcoe at no cost to the patient.

How do Community Paramedics help?

Community Paramedics work in collaboration with local health service providers and act as an extension of primary care to support patients to manage their chronic health conditions. Community Paramedics provide comprehensive in-home health assessments, including checking vital signs and blood work, providing vaccinations, and helping patients understand how to manage their health conditions.

Community Paramedics consult the patient's physician or nurse practitioner in real time, facilitating changes to medications and treatment plans at home. Patients enrolled in the program have direct telephone access to Community Paramedics when they experience increased or worsening symptoms, often preventing the need to go to the hospital

Services Provided by County of Simcoe Community Paramedics

Community Paramedics can perform the followingWellness Checks

  • Physical Assessments
  • Other Assessments, including Frailty Score, Rapid Geriatric, ADl/iADL, Snellen, Home Safety, PPS, CAT, ESAS, mMRC
  • Home Safety Scans
  • Vital Signs (including ECG)
  • Blood Work (Electrolytes, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, Glucose, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, INR)
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccinations
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Patient Education
  • Medication Compliance
  • Medication Administration
  • Exacerbation Support & Symptom Relief

How to Join

If you, your family member, or your patient requires in-home support to manage chronic CHF, ​COPD and/or Diabetes, please complete a referral form (link below) or call 705-726-9300 ext. 1579.

To refer yourself or your patient to the Community Paramedicine Home Visit Program complete the referral form: Community Program Referral Form.pdf

What Happens Next?

Upon acceptance into the program, an initial home visit will be scheduled. During the initial visit, the Community Paramedic will get to know the patient, their medical conditions, and current treatments and supports currently in place. They will answer any questions, schedule a follow-up appointment and make suggestions for any additional supports that may be available. In addition, the patient will be provided with a phone number to consult with a Community Par​amedic directly should their symptoms worsen or they need to reschedule a visit.

Click here to view the Community Paramedic Home Visit Program video.​

Community Paramedic Wellness Clinics

As part of our specialized program, Community Paramedics conduct wellness clinics in homeless shelters and social housing buildings throughout the County of Simcoe. We provide integrated care collaborating with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), primary-care providers, and local community services.

How can Community Paramedics help? ​

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Community Paramedics deliver a wide spectrum of comprehensive care services aimed at promoting well-being and enhancing health outcomes. This includes thorough wellness checks, comprehensive physical assessments, and vital sign monitoring, including ECG and blood sugar assessments. Additionally, we offer flu and COVID vaccinations and retinopathy screening.

Community Paramedics also provide healthcare system navigation, and conduct referrals to essential community services. Through our collaborative efforts, we empower clients with the knowledge and tools necessary to proactively manage their health conditions, fostering a healthier and more resilient community.

Click link to view the Wellness Clinic Video.​​

Please check back in the future for more information and updates on Community Paramedicine.

For more information about Community Paramedicine, contact:

Main Line: 705-726-9300 x1579 

Toll Free: 1-866-893-9300 x1579

Email: commparamedicine@simcoe.ca

To refer yourself or your patient to the Community Paramedicine Home Visit Program​ complete the referral form: CommunityParamedicineReferralForm.pdf

Version française: CommunityParamedicineReferralForm-FR.pdf