By Sumayya
The Ontario government has shared plans to give more money for land ambulances and offload nurses in Renfrew County.
The government said in a news release on Friday that it is raising land ambulance funding by 7 percent this year. This brings the total spending in the area to more than $14 million.
“This increase in base funding helps ensure municipalities address increased costs so they can continue to deliver high-quality emergency care,” the government stated.
The province also announced $163,000 in funding to hire nurses and other health experts. Their main job will be offloading patients in hospital emergency rooms. This will let paramedics get their ambulances back out on the road quickly for the next emergency.
“This increased funding will help ensure municipalities have the resources they need to support our paramedics and health-care professionals, strengthen local emergency services, and provide residents with timely, high-quality care when they need it,” said Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault.
Delays in offloading patients have been a big problem in many parts of the province. It has even caused “level zero” situations, which happen when there are no ambulances free to answer a 9-1-1 emergency call. The province says its funding has helped cut down offload wait times across Ontario by 68 percent since 2022.
Renfrew Paramedic Chief Mike Nolan said the cash would help make sure that local people keep getting the paramedic and health services they depend on.
“We are thankful for this commitment to strengthening care close to home and improving the well-being of everyone we proudly serve,” Nolan said.
