York Region Paramedic Services to decrease response times using transit-only lanes

A York Region paramedic stands at the back of an ambulance at a scene. (CTV News)

York Regional Council received a report outlining paramedic response times exceeding nearly all targets in 2024.

Council gave the green light to the immediate expansion of paramedic services vehicles using York Region’s dedicated bus lanes a.k.a. rapidways.

This is expected to help maintain response times for all calls, mitigate delays and support a safer, more efficient emergency response.

Previously, paramedic service vehicles were only permitted to use rapidways when responding with both lights and sirens for high-priority incidents.

“York Region Paramedic Services continues to deliver timely, dependable emergency care by implementing innovative strategies to improve efficiency and safety,” said Eric Jolliffe, York Region chairman and CEO.

Council received an update on the 2024 York Region Paramedic Services response times.

Highlights include:

• Responded to 95,511 incidents, a 3.3% increase from 2023; incidents are expected to continue to increase with a growing population
• Managed average hospital transfer of care times below a 30-minute target, with support from hospitals and the provincial Dedicated Offload Nurse Program
• Exceeded six of seven response time targets; achieving average response time for the most severe and life-threatening cases (sudden cardiac arrest or absence of breathing) of five minutes and 40 seconds, while least urgent cases (minor ailments or general pain) of 12 minutes and six seconds.