Ontario Expanding Diagnostic Services in York Region Long-Term Care Homes
Investments will help to reduce preventable hospital visits
August 29, 2024
NEWMARKET — The Ontario government is investing in programs that are expanding faster and more convenient diagnostic services in long-term care homes, to reduce preventable hospital visits, including two programs in York Region.
“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.”
The government is providing $3 million for the new Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Plus (CPLTC+) pilot program. This program builds off the existing Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program and will allow community paramedics to begin delivering diagnostic services like bloodwork, ultrasound and urinalysis to long-term care home residents.
The CPLTC+ pilot will be rolled out across six paramedic services, including York Region.
The government is also investing an additional $6 million provincewide to continue the Equipment and Training Fund in 2024-25. Launched last October, the fund helps long-term care homes buy diagnostic equipment and train staff so that 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.
Last year, the Equipment and Training Fund, supported more than 700 projects at over 220 homes across Ontario. In York Region, the investments included:
- Simcoe Manor Home for the Aged in Beeton purchased a bladder scanner and urinalysis analyzer to support the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections, and cameras to support virtual health.
- Mackenize Health Long-Term Care Facility in Richmond Hill purchased a doppler and electrocardiogram machine, and associated staff training to use this equipment, to support the diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure.
- Mon Sheong Richmond Hill Long-Term Care Centre purchased a bladder scanner, urinalysis analyzer and oximeter to support the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections and congestive heart failure.
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.
“Our government is making important investments that will benefit seniors right here in York Region,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP Newmarket-Aurora. “By expanding diagnostic imaging services into long-term care homes, residents will be able to access faster, quality care right in their home.”
Additional resources:
2024 Ontario Budget: Building a Better Ontario, 2024 Ontario Budget | Building a Better Ontario
Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, https://www.ontario.ca/page/your-health-plan-connected-and-convenient-care
Media Contact
Nadia Hansen
Constituency Scheduler, Stakeholder Relations, Event Manager
Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP Newmarket—Aurora
nadia.hansen@pc.ola.org
416-553-2471