Health Promotion Care Paramedic Program

The Health Promotion Care Paramedic (HPCP) Program is proactive response to community needs to close the health-care gap by expanding the role of paramedics. This program employs one full-time primary care paramedic to coordinate several initiatives focused on decreasing non-urgent patient visits to the emergency department through various partnerships. Referral System for Support Services This initiative connects the patients that paramedics see to support services that may reduce their need for emergency medical care. It involves front-line paramedics identifying circumstances in which patients could benefit from support services (for example, physical therapy or mental health services) and placing a referral. These referrals are brought to twice weekly meetings with various partner agencies where responses are planned for individuals in high-risk situations that may include addiction, mental health concerns, homelessness or adverse living conditions. Emergency Shelter Clinics This initiative works to meet the health care needs of vulnerable populations and reconnect the homeless with the health-care system. Paramedics host weekly wellness clinics at emergency shelters to provide health assessments to patients and refer them to appropriate community programs or support services. Community Health Assessments This initiative is designed to prevent illness and injury in older adults in order to reduce hospitalizations and improve their quality of life. The focus is on preventing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and falls all common causes of hospitalization in older adults. Paramedics hold weekly drop-in clinics at select subsidized housing complexes where they assess residents health, take blood pressure and glucose readings and relay this information to patients family doctors. They also educate participants on nutrition, other topics of healthy living and disease prevention. Greater Sudbury is participating in this trial program along with several other municipalities as part of a community paramedicine study. CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training This training is offered at no charge to encourage people to start CPR and use available defibrillators prior to the arrival of Emergency Paramedics. These events are advertised when they are offered to the community. Program Benefits The Health Promotion Care Paramedic Program bridges gaps in the health-care system by connecting individuals in need to services that can help improve their health and quality of life. It is particularly beneficial to our most vulnerable populations including: the elderly individuals whose needs fall between different levels of care individuals experiencing homelessness individuals with addiction or mental health concerns

Use the website.

Website

https://www.greatersudbury.ca/live/emergency-services/paramedic-services/community-paramedicine-programs/