The Ontario government has announced an increase in funding for land ambulances and offload nurses in Renfrew County. The government said in a news release on Friday that it is increasing land ambulance funding by seven per cent this year, bringing the total spending in the region to more than $14 million. “This increase in base funding helps ensure municipalities address increased costs so they can continue to deliver high-quality emergency care,” the government said. The province also announced $163,000 in funding to hire nurses and other health professionals dedicated to offloading patients in hospital emergency departments, thus allowing paramedics to get ambulances back on the road for the next emergency. “This increased funding will help ensure municipalities have the resources they need to support our paramedics and health-care professionals, strengthen local emergency services, and provide residents with timely, high-quality care when they need it,” said Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault. Offloading delays have been an issue in many parts of the province, with cases of “level zero” events occurring when no ambulances are available to respond to a 9-1-1 call. The province says its funding has helped reduce offload times provincewide by 68 per cent since 2022. Renfrew Paramedic Chief Mike Nolan said the funding would help ensure residents continue to receive the paramedic and health services they rely on. “We are thankful for this commitment to strengthening care close to home and improving the well-being of everyone we proudly serve,” he said.
