To help enhance patient care in rural Manitoba, Shared Health is expanding its Community Paramedic Program to Brandon and Selkirk.
Through this program, patients in these rural communities will be provided with the care they need, without having to leave their community.
The Community Paramedic Program allows for the early identification of care concerns and links patients to the care they need through treatment plans.
"This is an incredibly important community outreach program that helps connect patients with care in their home environment," said Dr. Chris Christodoulou, interim CEO of Shared Health. "Over time, capacity to provide emergency care for the most critical injuries and illnesses will also be increased, including in emergency departments and for responding to 911 calls."
The program also often involves providing patients with a combination of direct care, support and services, as well as referrals to other parts of the health system.
These community paramedics do not respond to 911 calls and can spend time with patients and provide in-depth care.
"The nature of emergency medical services is traditionally episodic, which can be a barrier when it comes to connecting patients to services and supporting their continued care," said Loren Bacala, Provincial Community Paramedic Manager, Shared Health Emergency Response Services. "If, for example, paramedics show up at a home following a 911 call and the patient refuses transport, there is no clear pathway for follow-up. With a community paramedicine program in place, that patient can be referred for follow-up and connected to the most appropriate care for their needs."
Community Paramedic Offices in Brandon and Selkirk operate 12 hours each day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., when the need is highest for this sort of support in the community.
The hope is to expand the Community Paramedic Program to other rural communities as it continues to grow.