Mayor Bigger's Letter to the Editor - Greater Sudbury's Community Paramedicine program continues to thrive

As a proud supporter of our City’s Emergency Services, I am pleased to see the success of our City’s Community Paramedicine program recognized throughout Greater Sudbury.

The City of Greater Sudbury has taken pride in being proactive leaders throughout the pandemic. While the presence of COVID-19 has highlighted emerging challenges faced by residents, City Council and staff have been committed to responding to the evolving needs of the community.

Early on in the fight against COVID-19, safety and accessibility were noted as key concerns for our most vulnerable residents, which is why a stronger network of support was essential in the City’s response to the pandemic. This is where our Community Paramedicine Program has thrived.

In March 2020, our paramedics were there to perform over 9877 in-home assessments and tests for residents who were unable to attend the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Health Sciences North.

As vaccines were made available throughout the province, our paramedics collaborated with Public Health Sudbury & Districts to deliver over 800 COVID-19 vaccinations to the homes of residents with transportation or mobility issues.

For two years, our community paramedics have stepped up, and as COVID-19 begins to ease, they will continue to deliver innovative care to those in need.

In May 2021, the City’s Paramedic Services launched the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program after receiving $6.5 million from the Ontario government. This pilot program offers in-home care to seniors who are awaiting placement in long-term care and to date, our paramedics have conducted almost 1500 home visits.

I am truly proud of our community paramedics and the committed staff working behind the scenes to help lead this unique model of care. 

Whether they are conducting an in-home visit for a patient who was recently discharged from the hospital or hosting a weekly wellness clinic for older adults throughout the city, the team is well-known to be friendly and engaged in the community.

As always, I commend the work of those on the frontlines and I would like to thank each and every first responder in our community for their role in making Greater Sudbury a safer place to live, work and play.

Sincerely,

Brian Bigger
Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury