Paramedicine Access to Community Healthcare (PATCH) is a new project that launched in Simcoe County with an initial focus in the Barrie area. Announced in October of 2014, PATCH is 1 of 30 innovative programs funded as part of Ontario's investment in the development and expansion of community paramedicine. Led by the County of Simcoe's Deputy Chief, Performance, Quality and Development – Merideth Morrison, PATCH partners include North Simcoe Muskoka (NSM) Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), the Barrie Community HealthLink Most Valuable Player Clinic (MVP Clinic) and Health Quality Ontario (HQO).

Community paramedicine is an innovative approach to applying the skills and training of paramedics beyond emergency response, treatment and transportation to hospital.

Connecting Patients to Care Through Referrals

Referrals focus on 911 calls that have resulted in a transfer of the same individual from their home by ambulance to RVH for non-urgent needs, 5 or more times in a year.

The MVP Clinic is designed to provide comprehensive primary care to patients with complex medical needs, and is accepting referrals through the PATCH Project.

Through referrals to NSM CCAC, County of Simcoe paramedics are supporting patient access to care coordination and CCAC information and referral expertise.

Quotes From Partners

​"County of Simcoe Paramedic Services is thrilled to work with our community partners on this innovative project. Through the identification and referral process, we hope to assist patients in receiving access to the care they need in their homes, while reducing hospital emergency department visits and further allowing Paramedic Services to remain available for patients acutely in need of our services." Merideth Morrison, County of Simcoe Paramedic Services
​​"The PATCH project is truly innovative in creating hospital capacity for people that need it, and facilitating more timely access to care in community through referrals to the CCAC. The knowledge of community resources and expertise of our Care Coordinators and information and referral staff specialists, is bringing care into homes and communities in the Barrie area." Monica Gabriel, Community Paramedicine Lead, NSM CCAC
​"RVH has the busiest Emergency Department in NSM and some patients do not need specialized acute care. By diverting these patients to an alternative care setting in the community, an interdisciplinary team can work to develop an appropriate care plan so patients receive the right care in the right setting. By having fewer patients with minor illnesses coming to RVH, we are also able to create capacity for those patients who are more acutely ill." Lana Dunlop, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
​"We are very pleased to be partnering with the project to better support patients within our community. The clinic provides a multidiscipline approach to care for patients living with multiple complex conditions. By accepting referrals from County of Simcoe paramedics, we can improve access to the right care, at the right time for these individuals." Shelley Cameron, Barrie Community HealthLink

Additional Resources

• Learn more about the Barrie Community HealthLink MVP Clinic here: http://ow.ly/Lrdye

• NEWS RELEASE Paramedics to Offer More Community Care http://ow.ly/Lropb

• Learn more about the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services here: http://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/ps