May 28, 2020
Oxford County Paramedic Services launches a community paramedicine pilot project to support those in palliative care
Pilot project is in partnership with the South West LHIN Oxford Palliative Care Outreach Team
Oxford County Paramedics Services, in partnership with the South West LHIN Oxford Palliative Care Outreach Team, has launched a new paramedicine pilot project to help support those in palliative care at home with crisis and symptom management.
The community-based pilot project was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the intent to support surge or overflow capacity for the healthcare system while ensuring that registered at-home palliative-care patients continue to receive the important end-of-life care they require. The pilot project is scheduled to run until October 31, 2020.
The Oxford County Community Paramedicine program will work with primary care providers of palliative-care patients to ensure a coordinated approach to care for these individuals to help manage symptoms and prevent visits to the emergency department. Care can also be provided to those who may benefit from a palliative approach to care but are not yet registered with the Oxford Palliative Care Outreach Team. Paramedics on the team have completed the Pallium Elite LEAP-Paramedic training, advanced medical directives as well as undergone extensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) reviews.
Primary care providers, service providers, Local Health Integration Network staff, and caregivers of Palliative Care Outreach Team patients (after initial contact has been made with a nursing agency) can access care from the Community Paramedicine team which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The team is also taking part in the community-based COVID-19 swabbing program announced previously by Oxford County Paramedics for those who cannot access the assessment centre.
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About Oxford County
Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 121,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” As a partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County is emerging as a leader in sustainable growth through the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan and County Council’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy, becoming a zero-waste community, and working towards zero poverty. Situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, agriculture is a key industry that serves as a springboard for some of the sustainable industries that are steadily diversifying the local economy. Oxford County offers a thriving local arts, culture and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The Oxford County Administration Building is located in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca or follow our social media sites at www.oxfordcounty.ca/social. Oxford County’s Strategic Plan is at oxfordcounty.ca/strategicplan.
Contact
Strategic Communication & Engagement
communications@oxfordcounty.ca