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CTV News
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- CTV News
Ontario makes program aimed at keeping seniors out of hospital permanent
Ontario's long-term care minister has announced that the province is making a paramedic program that helps keep patients out of hospital permanent. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta says the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program has served more than 81,000 people since launching as a pilot project in 2020 and expanding across the province in 2022. The program sees community paramedics treat seniors who are waiting for long-term care in their homes for non-emergency issues such as help with chronic disease management. The government says community paramedics typically provide care within hours or days, which helps prevent emergency incidents and eases pressures on hospitals. Ontario is putting $89 million toward the program, which includes expanding services offered in First Nations communities. The Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs says the pilot project 'has demonstrated the unique role paramedics play in our health-care system outside of 911 response, by enabling seniors to age at home and reduce emergency room visits.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025. Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Don't underestimate impact of prairie wildfire smoke on Windsor air quality, says health unit
Windsor's Air Quality Health Index on Aug. 4 was in the high-risk range, thanks to smoke from wildfires raging more than 1,500 kilometres away. CBC's Dalson Chen spoke with the region's Medical Officer of Health and Environment Canada about the phenomenon.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
N.S. premier must keep focus on remedy plan for people with disabilities: advocates
Vicky Levack, a spokeswoman for the Disability Rights Coalition who lives with cerebral palsy, poses outside her apartment building in Halifax on Thursday, July 31, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese HALIFAX — An advocacy group says Nova Scotia's premier should make a five-year plan to overhaul housing and care of people with disabilities a major policy priority. On Friday, an independent monitor said the province had notable delays in delivering new programs and services, two years into the legally mandated program to move people with disabilities out of institutions and off wait-lists. The report by Michael Prince, a University of Victoria professor of social policy, noted Nova Scotia was making progress with its plan, while also calling for 'sustained attention by the government executive' to make sure it stays on track. In a new release, the Disability Rights Coalition said on Tuesday that Tim Houston's office needs to improve co-operation among key departments that support people moving from large facilities into the community. Prince's report says this co-operation is crucial in setting up mental health support programs and rapid response teams to cope with issues that may arise during the transitions under the program. Vicky Levack, a spokeswoman for the coalition, said in a statement that her group is urging the premier 'to engage with those recommendations ... which call upon him to give direction and a sense of urgency to those departments which appear to have failed to give the proper priority to their obligations' under the program. In 2021, the coalition won an Appeal Court decision that identified systemic discrimination against people with disabilities seeking housing and supports in the community. A human rights board of inquiry subsequently created a list of reforms required to address the province's shortcomings, with annual reports on progress by Prince. Prince's latest 55-page report said the government is 'gaining traction' on overhauling the system. For example, the number of people living in institutions dropped by 189 -- about three-quarters of the original plan's goal for this year. When the process started there were about 400 people still in the larger facilities. In addition, the number of people on a wait list to receive some form of service from the disability supports program has fallen by 293, exceeding the target for this year. In 2022, the list had about 1,800 people on it. Prince also noted that key leadership positions are being filled and staff training is advancing. However, there were other shortcomings flagged in the report, including a 12 per cent increase in young adults -- about 52 people -- being placed in long-term care facilities. Prince's report described this as 'unnecessary institutionalization.' Prince also noted that policy manuals used by the disability support program staff need to be revised to make clear the province is 'legally obliged to provide social assistance to eligible persons in need.' 'All legal rights obligations of applicants and participants and public officials should appear explicitly in public documents,' he added. During a news conference on Tuesday, Houston said his office is already 'taking a role' in ensuring the provincial plan stays on track. 'I think the province is making progress. There's work to be done for sure, but it's a government effort,' he said. 'We have a great team on that. (A) fantastic minister and the people in the department are dedicated. They care. We all care. We all want progress, including the premier.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025. By Michael Tutton, with files from Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax.
