Ontario Expanding Diagnostic Services at Long-Term Care Homes in York Region

New funding helping prevent hospital and emergency room visits

August 29, 2024

NEWMARKET — The Ontario government is investing in two programs in York Region that will expand diagnostic services in long-term care homes and help reduce hospital and emergency room visits.

The new Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Plus (CPLTC+) program builds off the existing Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program and allows community paramedics to deliver diagnostic services like bloodwork, ultrasound and urinalysis for long-term care residents. The government is also providing funding to long-term care homes to receive equipment and training for diagnostic services within existing long-term care homes.

“We are investing in diagnostic care so seniors can receive the right care in the right place,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “This funding will help long-term care residents access care in their own homes and help reduce avoidable hospital visits and 911 calls.”

The CPLTC+ program in York Region will be administered in nine homes by York Region Paramedic Services.

The government is also investing $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 long-term care homes train staff and buy diagnostic equipment so they can provide better care for residents. Investments are targeted to help buy equipment that can detect and prevent 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 close to 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.

Quick Facts

The Ontario government is investing $9 million this year across the province in the Equipment and Training Fund and the CPLTC+ program.
Along with York Region, CPLTC+ is being rolled out by paramedic services in Cochrane District, Hastings-Quinte, Middlesex-London, Ottawa and the Region of Durham.
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

“We are improving health care for seniors around Ontario by expanding diagnostic services, ensuring they are able to get quick and convenient care in long term care homes and freeing up space in our hospitals. We are focused on reducing waitlists and providing seniors with the quality of care and life they deserve. That is why our government is building 58,000 new long-term care beds right across this province.”

– Paul Calandra
MPP for Markham—Stouffville

“Our government is making important investments that will benefit seniors right here in York Region. By expanding diagnostic imaging services into long-term care homes, residents will be able to access faster, quality care right in their home.”

– Dawn Gallagher Murphy
MPP for Newmarket—Aurora

“I am pleased to see our government making significant investments in expanding diagnostic services for long-term care homes right here in York Region. By bringing essential diagnostic services directly to residents, we are reducing preventable hospital visits and ensuring that our seniors receive the care they need in the comfort of their homes. These investments are a critical step in improving long-term care and enhancing the quality of life for our most vulnerable community members.”

– Logan Kanapathi
MPP for Markham—Thornhill

“As we work to increase the availability of hospital beds, it is imperative we limit hospital visits to those that are absolutely necessary. In addition to building two new long-term care homes at Mary Lake and beside the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, these diagnostic tools will help our seniors stay out of the hospital and get the care they need, closer to home.”

– Stephen Lecce
MPP for King—Vaughan

“Our government continues to prioritize the well-being of long-term care residents, which includes expanding more convenient diagnostic services for seniors where they live. The $3 million investment for the new Paramedicine pilot program will allow community paramedics to begin delivering diagnostic services to long-term care homes, ensuring residents have better services faster.”

– Caroline Mulroney
MPP for York—Simcoe

“Ensuring that our seniors have access to timely and effective diagnostic services within their own long-term care homes is a significant step forward in providing the quality of care they deserve. I’m proud to support this initiative, which demonstrates our government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services for our seniors.”

– Billy Pang
MPP for Markham—Unionville

“Ontario’s investment in the new Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Plus program is an important initiative for making diagnostic services more accessible to long-term care residents. Bringing diagnostic services directly to long-term care homes and providing equipment training to staff is a meaningful step toward ensuring the health and well-being of seniors in our community.”

– Michael Parsa
MPP for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill

“Our government understands the importance of having Ontarians with complex needs access care in the comfort of a home, instead of a hospital. I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact of these new programs here in Thornhill, and across Ontario — making sure our seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.”

– Laura Smith
MPP for Thornhill

“Looking after our seniors’ health and mental health has been a top priority for our government from day one. Working across ministries we are ensuring seniors get the help and care they need to live better more productive lives.”

– Michael Tibollo
MPP for Vaughan—Woodbridge

“With the growing senior population in Richmond Hill, providing more convenient diagnostic services in long-term care homes will reduce preventable hospital visits. The Equipment and Training Fund will help long-term care homes to better manage and treat their residents’ conditions.”

– Daisy Wai
MPP for Richmond Hill

“York Regional Council is incredibly proud to see Newmarket Health Centre leading the way as the first long-term care home to participate in the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care + pilot program. This innovative initiative is a significant step forward in enhancing the quality care our residents receive, providing them with timely and convenient access to essential diagnostic services within their long-term care home. With support from the Government of Ontario, Regional Council is confident this program will greatly improve the health outcomes of our most vulnerable residents, reducing the need for hospital visits and ensuring they receive the right care at the right time.”

– Wayne Emmerson
Chairman and CEO, The Regional Municipality of York

Additional Resources

2024 Ontario Budget: Building a Better Ontario

Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care

Media Contacts

Spencer Fair
Office of the Minister of Long-Term Care
Spencer.Fair@ontario.ca

Ministry of Long-Term Care Media Line
Communications Branch
MLTC.Media@ontario.cas

Ontario Expanding Diagnostic Services at Long-Term Care Homes in York Region

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