The provincial government is spending an additional $1,039,907 to support the paramedic services program at the Kenora District Services Board.
The funding will address staff shortages and financial pressures and will allow for the addition of a new land ambulance crew.
It is part of a $13.4 million dollar investment in the KDSB to enhance the emergency health system in the region.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford made the announcement in Dryden and stated, “This obviously has been a tremendously successful program on a lot of fronts. This isn’t just about the emergency dimensions of para-medicine, it is about the para-medicine home program, which has been tremendously successful.”
Rickford says the goal is to offer health services for people at home and ease the burden on hospitals and preventing non-emergency trips to the hospital room.
He adds the government recognizes the unique challenges that the KDSB faces while providing emergency health services across the Northwest and this is a targeted investment to relieve pressure on the health care system.
Rickford took time during the announcement to thank all paramedics for their hard work and dedication and stressed that the government will always stand behind them.
He says the top priority for him is to send a strong clear message that the government has health care providers backs, especially paramedics.
I’m proud to announce that our government will be investing $13.4M+ through Land Ambulance Service Grant to @TheKDSB.
Our government is committed to building a sustainable & connected emergency health system to alleviate the pressures in Northern Ontario. https://t.co/2g9tJhL0t9 pic.twitter.com/W6aYJMNv0N— Greg Rickford (@GregRickford) September 22, 2022
