City’s 2023 Operating Budget will help paramedics keep up with increasing 911 calls
Hamilton, ON – Increased investment in the City’s paramedic service through the 2023 tax operating budget will help first responders keep up with a demand that increased 7.8 per cent in the past year.
City paramedics responded to 98,114 emergencies in 2022, up from 90,892 in 2021. In 2022, the increase in service demands was double the increase in demand from recent years.
In addition to the number of those living in the city (569,355 residents, up 6.0 per cent from 2016 to 2021), the increase in Hamilton’s aging population places added pressures on the healthcare system. Approximately 25 per cent of Hamiltonians (142,345 residents) are 60 years of age or older, an increase from 23.7 per cent based on 2016 data. (Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population)
To keep up with demand, the City has increased its investments in the City's paramedic service by 23 per cent, or $6.7 million, in 2023. The additional investments will be spent on:
- Broadening the paramedic scope of practice, enabling primary care paramedics to help reduce patients’ suffering more immediately without having to wait for an advanced care paramedic or wait to be transported to the emergency department before receiving medication;
- Further developing programs aligned with the Ministry of Health Models of Care programs to enable paramedics to treat some patients on scene, refer patients to other care providers, or transport patients to alternative destinations, thereby reducing pressures on hospital emergency departments;
- Enhancing Mobile Integrated Health to provide care to vulnerable residents in their homes and reduce pressure on healthcare system;
- Adding 35 more full-time paramedics which will provide seven (7) more ambulances daily during peak volume periods to improve response capacity and better manage paramedic staff workload;
- Enhancing IT programs to improve performance, ensuring quick access to patient records for more coordinated, efficient care; and
- Creating a Special Event Bike Team for faster, more efficient off-road care.
The Hamilton Paramedic Service (HPS) has been the designated sole provider of paramedic services for the City of Hamilton since downloading of this responsibility from the provincial government to local municipalities 23 years ago. The paramedic service helps to promote the health and safety of Hamilton’s residents and visitors through a range of prevention, response and follow up activities.
Provincial legislation places responsibility on the City to ensure the proper provision of land ambulance service in the municipality, in accordance with the needs of persons in the municipality. It further places responsibility on the City for all costs associated with the provision of land ambulance service subject to grants. The Province provides grant funding annually to cover 50 per cent of the cost of direct land ambulance service delivery. Other activities, such as community paramedicine, dedicated offload nurse staffing and dedicated neonatal intensive care transfer services receive 100 per cent grant funding provincially.
Intensive demand analysis and projections are performed annually using historical records, dedicated planning software systems and peer system analysis to match resources with anticipated activity levels. This was most recently summarized in the 2022-2031 Hamilton Paramedic Service Master Plan, approved by Council in June 2022.
In addition to increased investments in the City’s paramedic service, the City is also increasing investments in other areas of health, including $1.5 million for long-term care to support continued COVID-19 response, as well as other respiratory viruses and health human resource challenges.
In addition to increased investments in the City’s paramedic service, the City is also increasing investments in other areas of health, including $1.5 million for long-term care to support continued COVID-19 response, as well as other respiratory viruses and health human resource challenges.
Long-term care is held accountable to maintain service levels of care for residents and staff in accordance with provincial service level agreements and the Fixing Long-Term Care Act and Regulations. With respiratory and other outbreaks, there is a requirement to ensure staff have the necessary personal protective equipment and increased staffing levels. The investment will support the Homes with the ongoing health human resource challenges by maintaining and enhancing level of care and services, as required, for residents during all forms of outbreaks. Long-term care must continue with enhanced safety precautions, including procuring items such as personal protective equipment, as well as other medical, kitchen and cleaning supplies.
Additionally, City Council has approved the continuation of the Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services and Community Mental Health Promotion Programs with municipal funds after funding had been discontinued through the Ontario Health West 2022-2023 Budget. The programs provide important outpatient services to individuals experiencing mental health, addictions and/or homelessness concerns and work collaboratively with individuals to improve their well-being, while also addressing other social determinants of health.
Improving the City’s healthcare services for all Hamiltonians is a top priority in this year’s budget. Our $6.7M investment in paramedic services will increase the number of ambulances at our disposal during peak periods. In addition to this, we are making a significant investment in support for long-term care, ensuring that Hamiltonian’s can age in place successfully both now and in the future.
Mayor Andrea Horwath