Community Paramedicine Extended for a Full Year

On April 20, 2016 Grey County received confirmation from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care that funding will continue for community paramedicine until March 31, 2017. Grey County paramedics have been participating in the EPIC (Expanding Paramedicine in the Community) clinical trial since 2015.

“We are thrilled to learn community paramedicine funding will continue for another full year and we can’t wait to share the news with the patients involved,” said Mike Muir, Grey County’s Director of Paramedic Services. “We know first-hand how valuable this this program has been to the people that need it.”

EPIC partners highly-trained Grey County community paramedics with primary care practitioners from the Owen Sound Family Health Team. Together they monitor and treat patients at home who suffer from congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and diabetes mellitus.  If a patient’s health begins deteriorating, paramedics intervene and treat symptoms under the delegation of a primary care practitioner. EPIC hopes to prove in-home preventative care reduces overall healthcare costs by reducing trips to emergency rooms.

“We need innovative programs like EPIC to address the challenges facing healthcare in our communities, especially with our aging population,” said Grey County Warden Alan Barfoot. “We are thankful the Province is extending this prized program and we are hopeful the EPIC results will prove community paramedicine deserves to be a permanent healthcare service.”

St. Michael’s Hospital is the leading researcher on EPIC and study results are expected this summer. The EPIC trial in Grey County is one of 23 community paramedicine projects being extended for another 12 months.

For more information contact Mike Muir, Director of Paramedic Services at mike.muir [at] grey.ca (mike[dot]muir[at]grey[dot]ca) or 519‑376‑5744 ext. 1242.

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