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Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski (centre) announced permanent funding for the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre during an event in Renfrew on March 24 at the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service base. Looking on during the announcement (from left) were Melanie Kruger, admin support RC VTAC; Stuart Theron, Paramedic Lead, RC VTAC; Lindsay McLeese VTAC admin coordinator; Roxanne Kamula, Paramedic; Alyssa Chapman, medical receptionist VTAC and Sean Plunkett, Paramedic.
RELEASE DATE:
March 24, 2023
RENFREW – An innovative health-care delivery model started in Renfrew County will continue to address medical needs of area residents without a family physician thanks to a commitment of permanent funding from the Ontario Government.
On Friday, March 24 at the Renfrew Paramedic Base, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski announced an investment of $3.2 million in 2023-24 from the provincial government for the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) to ensure residents have access to healthcare services close to home.
“This is an exceptional program and I am pleased the funding has been continued,” MPP Yakabuski said. “Renfrew County’s Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre has continually demonstrated its value and that it deserves permanent funding. This announcement is wonderful news for residents across Renfrew County.”
Initially started in response to the pandemic as a virtual/mobile COVID testing and assessment centre, RC VTAC quickly evolved to serve not only people with COVID-related issues, but anyone with a healthcare need who did not have a family doctor or access to their doctor.
To access services, people call a toll-free number and speak with a trained medical receptionist who can provide advice and schedule a virtual appointment with a physician, when required. A RC VTAC family physician contacts the patient to provide hybrid virtual care over the phone or via video. The physician can prescribe medication, order diagnostic testing and refer the patient to a Community Paramedic led VTAC Assessment Centre for a physical examination and treatment. An in-home assessment by Community Paramedics can also be arranged for homebound patients.
As a hybrid service provider VTAC also has the ability to navigate patients to local health and social service providers.
Approximately 30,000 residents of Renfrew County, or 28 per cent of the population, have no family physician or alternative primary-care provider. Up to 80 per cent of the RC VTAC family physician assessments are to these residents.
Since March 2020, RC VTAC has provided 79,337 family physician virtual assessments, 70,290 paramedic on-site assessments, and 5,583 paramedic home visits. Each month, RC VTAC handles 5,000 calls, 3,000 assessments and helps divert 1,000 patients from hospital emergency departments. Feedback shows 86 per cent of users report their health care concern was addressed in the first virtual encounter and 93 per cent report being happy or very happy with the RC VTAC service.
“We are appreciative that the Province has recognized the tremendous value of the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre in our community and seen fit to provide the permanent funding to allow this program to serve the residents of Renfrew County and continue to expand to meet their healthcare needs,” said Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon. “We are also thankful to MPP Yakabuski for his tireless work on this file to ensure the funding was secured.”
With more than 80,000 physician and Community Paramedic assessments, RC VTAC is a proven model of care that is well positioned to support communities like Renfrew County throughout Ontario.
“I am extremely proud of the effort of the VTAC physicians, staff and partner organizations for making VTAC a lifeline to connect residents to primary care and Community Paramedic Services,” said Paramedic Chief Michael Nolan.
The success of the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre has been possible of strong partnerships. In attendance for the March 24 announcement of permanent funding for RC VTAC (from left) were Leah Levesque, president and CEO of Arnprior Regional Health; Councillor Michael Donohue, chair of the County Health Committee; County of Renfrew Paramedic Service Chief Michael Nolan; Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, who make the funding announcement; Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon; Craig Kelley, Renfrew County Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk and Karen Simpson, executive director Arnprior and District Family Health Team.
RC VTAC is a collaboration between family doctors, the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service, primary care teams, Renfrew County Hospitals and the Renfrew County and District Health Unit. Funding and support for this vital service are provided by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health. Learn more at www.rcvtac.ca or call 1-844-727-6404, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tina Peplinskie Media Relations Coordinator 613-735-7288
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski (second from right) announced permanent funding for the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre during an event in Renfrew on March 24 at the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service base. Also on hand for the announcement (from left) were Paramedic Service Chief Michael Nolan, Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon and Renfrew County Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk Craig Kelley.
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