Ontario's $89 Million Investment Secures Future of Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care in Lanark County
August 15, 2025
Lanark County Paramedic
Service celebrates permanent funding for a program making a difference in the
lives of local seniors
Montague, Ontario – The Ontario government’s recent announcement of $89
million in ongoing, permanent annual funding province-wide for the Community
Paramedicine for Long-Term Care (CPLTC) program is being welcomed by Lanark
County Paramedic Service (LCPS) as a milestone moment for seniors’ care in the
region.
Launched in Lanark County in
March 2021 as part of a provincial pilot, the CPLTC program provides seniors
on, or at risk of being placed on, the long-term care waitlist with proactive,
in-home healthcare. Community paramedics, working under medical direction and
as an extension of primary care, offer assessments, diagnostics, treatments,
and follow-up visits, all without patients needing to travel or leave the
comfort of their homes.
“We’re grateful that
permanent funding for the CPLTC program will allow us to keep providing
compassionate, proactive care that helps seniors in Lanark County remain safe,
supported, and independent at home,” said Travis Mellema, Chief, Lanark County
Paramedic Service. “This program is a true example of healthcare innovation,
offering personalized, preventative care that benefits both our clients and the
entire health system. With stable funding support, we can continue growing this
vital program to better serve our seniors and strengthen our community.”
Since launching in Lanark
County, the CPLTC program has:
· Helped local
seniors remain at home longer while waiting for long-term care placement.
· Reduced avoidable
emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
· Provided timely
care for chronic and complex health conditions without the need for travel.
· Improved quality
of life by offering care that is personalized, proactive, and patient-centred.
One local resident, a retired
pilot, described the program as nothing short of life-changing:
“I was a pilot for many
years. When a plane is going down, there is a choice to let it drop out of the
sky or try for a soft fall through maneuvering. CPLTC helped my wife, and I
have a soft fall. I say that because our decrease in independence was happening
no matter what, but the community paramedic visits let us stay in the sky, live
independently, as long as we possibly could.”
With permanent funding now
secured, LCPS will be able to continue and grow the CPLTC program, expanding
services, increasing visit frequency, and strengthening connections with
primary care, Ontario Health at Home, and other community supports.
“Community Paramedicine for
Long-Term Care program is about meeting people where they are, in their homes,
in their communities, and making sure they have the care and support they need
before a crisis occurs,” added Mellema. “This investment ensures we can keep
doing that for years to come.”
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Media Contact:
Caitlin O’Hara, Communications Lead
Mississippi River Health Alliance
613-621-9638
caohara@mrha.ca
About Lanark County Paramedic Service
Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) provides
essential pre-hospital emergency medical care to residents and visitors across
Lanark County. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, LCPS paramedics are the
first point of contact for many in emergency situations, responding to a wide
range of medical and trauma-related calls. With a strong commitment to
innovation, professionalism, and community partnerships, LCPS is dedicated to
enhancing the health and safety of the region. For more information, visit www.lanarkcountyparamedicservice.ca.
About
the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA)
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) was
formed in 2016 to formalize and strengthen collaboration between the Almonte
General Hospital Corporation—which includes Almonte General Hospital (AGH),
Fairview Manor (FVM), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS)—and the
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Corporation (CPDMH). This
partnership delivers seamless, high-quality healthcare that addresses the
evolving needs of local communities. Together, the MRHA is building an integrated
healthcare system that provides comprehensive care close to home, enhancing
access and improving health outcomes throughout the region. For more
information visit www.MRHA.ca.