Thursday, October 10, 2024
Ontario. Ministry of Long-Term Care
Ontario Expanding Diagnostic Services in Middlesex County and London Long-Term Care Homes
Investments in programs helping reduce preventable emergency room visits
The Ontario government is expanding access to diagnostic services in long-term care homes in Middlesex County and London to help improve residents’ quality of life and reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospital stays.
The new Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Plus (CPLTC+) program will allow paramedics to begin delivering diagnostic services like bloodwork and ultrasounds to residents. The government is also providing funding to allow more long-term care homes to receive the equipment and training they need to provide diagnostic services to residents in the comfort of their home.
“We are fixing long-term care, so residents get the right care in the right place,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Providing more diagnostic services to long-term care residents in their own homes will help reduce avoidable hospital visits and 911 calls.”
CPLTC+ builds off the existing Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program and will be rolled out across six paramedic services, including the Middlesex-London Paramedic Services.
The government is also investing an additional $6 million provincewide to continue the Equipment and Training Fund in 2024-25. Launched last October as part of the Your Health Plan, the fund helps homes buy diagnostic equipment and train staff so they can better manage and treat residents’ conditions that most often lead to preventable hospital visits, such as urinary tract infections, falls, pneumonia and congestive heart failure.
The fund has supported more than 700 projects at close to 220 homes across Ontario. In Middlesex County and London, over $264,800 in investments include:
- Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care purchased a doppler device, IV equipment and associated training.
- Southbridge London purchased a doppler device, medication monitoring device, bladder scanner and associated training.
- Extendicare London purchased IV pumps.
In addition, Ontario is connecting more long-term care homes to diagnostic services by expanding nurse-led outreach teams (NLOTs) throughout the province through a $4.2 million investment in 2024-25. NLOTs are specialized teams of registered nurses and nurse practitioners that work in partnership with hospital emergency departments and long-term care homes. NLOTs in northern and western Ontario, including in London, will use this funding to expand and support diagnostic services, such as ultrasound and blood work services, for residents in long-term care, and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
“As part of our government’s Your Health plan, we are taking bold and innovative action to connect Ontarians, at every stage of life, to faster, more convenient care,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “The investments our government is making to enhance diagnostic services for long-term care residents in Middlesex County and London is one of the many steps we are taking to close service gaps and increase timeliness of care, providing more people with the right care, in the right place.”
The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve. The plan is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.
Quick Facts:
- The Ontario government is investing $9 million this year across the province in CPLTC+ and the Equipment and Training Fund.
- Along with the Middlesex-London Paramedic Services, CPLTC+ is being rolled out by paramedic services in Cochrane District, Durham Region, Hastings-Quinte, Ottawa, and York Region.
- As part of its plan to fix long-term care and address sector waitlists, the government is building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
- Ontario is offering incentives of up to $25,400 to students and recent graduates of personal support worker education programs to launch careers in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sector.
- The Ontario government is investing up to $4.9 billion to create thousands of new positions for personal support workers and nurses in long-term care.
Quotes:
"Middlesex County is proud to be one of the six regions piloting the CPLTC+ program. Bringing diagnostic services into long term care homes will not only reduce the strain on our hospitals, but it will also result in better health outcomes for patients. By providing more timely access to these services, we can ensure residents receive the care they need, when and where they need it."
- Aina DeViet , Middlesex County Warden
"The introduction of the CPLTC+ program marks a significant advancement in how healthcare is delivered to long-term care residents in Middlesex County and the City of London. This initiative will allow us to provide vital diagnostic services on-site, improving access to care and ensuring that residents can receive essential health services without unnecessary delays or hospital visits. This is about bringing healthcare closer to home and enhancing the overall quality of life for our seniors. We are proud to be part of this innovative step forward in community-based care."
- Brian Ropp, Middlesex-London Paramedic Service Authority Board Chair
"The Ontario Long Term Care Clinicians advocated strongly for more diagnostics in long-term care knowing the importance of eliminating as many disruptive and avoidable trips to hospital for frail residents. These measures result in better health outcomes and quality of life."
- Dr. Rhonda Collins, President, Ontario Long Term Care Clinicians
"We are incredibly fortunate in London to have strong partnerships with the Province of Ontario that allow us to enhance the quality of life for our seniors. Expanding access to diagnostic services in long-term care homes means fewer trips to the hospital, quicker diagnoses, and more comfort for our residents."
- Josh Morgan , Mayor, London
"I am proud to see our government expanding diagnostic services for long-term care residents. This initiative will improve access to vital healthcare, ensuring our seniors receive timely care and enhancing their quality of life. This investment will undoubtedly lead to better health outcomes and a higher quality of life for residents in our community."
- Steve Pinsonneault, MPP, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
"This program represents a significant step forward in delivering diagnostic care to those who need it most. Middlesex-London Paramedic Service Community Paramedics are highly skilled and strategically positioned to provide a positive impact with this program. By bringing these vital services into long-term care homes, we are reducing hospital visits, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring our community’s most vulnerable residents receive the care they need where they need it most."
- Adam Bennett, Director of Paramedic Services, Middlesex-London Paramedic Service
"The expansion of diagnostic services in long-term care homes is a game-changer for our community. This initiative reflects our government’s commitment to alleviate pressure on our healthcare system and ensure that seniors receive compassionate, accessible care in the comfort of their own homes when safe to do so."
- Rob Flack, MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Daniel Strauss
Office of the Minister of Long-Term Care
Daniel Strauss@ontario.ca
Ministry of Long-Term Care Media Line
Communications Branch
MLTC.Media@ontario.ca
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