Ontario Expands Diagnostic Services in Durham Region Long-Term Care Homes

The Ontario government has announced the expansion of diagnostic services in long-term care homes in Durham. The new Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Plus (CPLTC+) program will enable paramedics to deliver diagnostic services such as bloodwork and ultrasounds to residents. Additionally, funding will be provided to equip more long-term care homes with the necessary tools and training to offer these services on-site.

The CPLTC+ program builds on the existing Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care initiative and will be implemented across six paramedic services, including Durham. The government is also allocating an additional $6 million provincewide for the Equipment and Training Fund for the fiscal year 2024-25. This fund, launched in October 2023, supports purchasing diagnostic equipment and staff training to manage and treat conditions that often lead to preventable hospital visits.

In Durham Region, the Equipment and Training Fund has supported several projects:

• Lakeridge Gardens in Ajax acquired a bladder scanner and mobile cart for diagnosing and managing urinary tract infections.
• Extendicare Oshawa purchased an ultrasound bladder cart, bladder scanner, doppler, and electrocardiogram machine to assist in diagnosing and treating urinary tract infections and congestive heart failure.
• Port Perry Place obtained a bladder scanner and stand for managing urinary tract infections.

The government states that these measures aim to reduce avoidable hospital visits and improve the quality of life for long-term care residents.