Since 2021, the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program has served 1,108 patients in Norfolk and completed more than 10,500 appointments \u00a0for non-emergency care.<\/p>\n
Published Dec 24, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 19\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
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Home visits from Norfolk County paramedics help at-risk seniors stay out of the emergency room. Photo by J.P. Antonacci \/Local Journalism Initiative ReporterArticle content<\/p>\n
Seniors waiting for a spot in a long-term care home are often in a delicate medical state, and a trip to the hospital can sometimes make things worse.<\/p>\n
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To keep at-risk residents out of the emergency room, Norfolk County paramedics bring health-care to their homes.<\/p>\n
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Since 2021, the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program has served 1,108 patients in Norfolk and completed more than 10,500 appointments \u00a0for non-emergency care.<\/p>\n
Nearly 3,200 of those appointments \u2014 a combination of in-home visits and virtual consultations \u2014 took place in 2025 alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe patients we support through this funding are residents of Norfolk \u00a0County who live independently or semi-independently in the community and are either eligible for, or currently awaiting, placement in a long-term care facility,\u201d Patrick Quinn, commander of community paramedicine with Norfolk EMS, told The Spectator.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOur primary goal is to ensure these individuals remain safe, supported and stable in their homes while they await placement or begin the placement process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ontario\u2019s Ministry of Long-Term Care funded the paramedicine program in 2025-26 to the tune of $964,600.<\/p>\n
The program\u2019s track record of proactively providing in-home care while reducing the volume of 911 \u00a0emergency calls has convinced the province to make the funding permanent as of 2026-27.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin thanked the province \u201cfor its continued investment in community-based health care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Queen\u2019s Park also provided Norfolk up to $109,200 to hire more workers to off-load patients from ambulances more quickly.<\/p>\n
The county can also access up to $6.1 million next year from the province\u2019s \u00a0Land Ambulance Services Grant \u201cto support core paramedic operations\u201d in the municipality.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThese programs strengthen our ability to deliver timely, compassionate care close to home, while easing pressures on hospitals and emergency services,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis commitment ensures our residents receive the support they need and reflects the strong partnership between municipalities and the province.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boosting paramedic mental health<\/p>\n
In a separate grant, the province gave Norfolk $25,000 to boost mental health and wellness supports for the county\u2019s paramedics.<\/p>\n
The municipality said the money will be used \u201cto deliver peer support \u00a0training, leadership development, wellness programs and anti-stigma education.\u201d<\/p>\n
The in-person and virtual programs are designed to help paramedics cope with their high-intensity work.<\/p>\n
\u201cParamedics face challenging and stressful situations every day,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis \u00a0funding will help ensure they have the tools and support needed to \u00a0maintain mental health and continue providing exceptional care to the \u00a0community.\u201d<\/p>\n
J.P. Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator.\u00a0 The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.<\/p>\n
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