Demand increasing for P.E.I. paramedics palliative home care program

Almost two years after theParamedics Providing Palliative Care at Home program was started on P.E.I., those involved say it meets a need in thecommunity and demand is increasing.

"We hear a lot of good things," saidJeremyMeasham, anadvanced care paramedic with Island EMS.

The program allows paramedics to provide their services topalliative care patients living at home especially for pain and symptom management.

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"The program is designed with the patient's best needs at heart,"hesaid.

Meashamsaid many paramedics have had experiences of transporting people to hospital who didn't want to go and would have been better served if they could have stayed at home.

"This program gives us the opportunity to do that."

Road map

Measham said the program is designed with the patient's needs in mind.

Paramedics and doctors develop aplanthat is best suited for the patient.

"The plan of care becomes the road map for this patient," saidHealth PEI'sprovincial palliative care medical consultant Dr. MireilleLecours.

"They love the support," saidMeashamof the patients and families they help.

Increased calls

In 2016, paramedics had a total of 315 palliative care calls and of that amount, 35 per cent of the patients were able to remain at home, exceeding their goal, Meashamsaid.

"Already this year, we've had 240 calls. So if we look at the demand for the program year over year, we're forecasting a 30 per cent increase in demand for that program."

Lecourssaid this decreases visits to emergency rooms.

"I see collaboration being a big thing. Paramedics and palliative care physicians are not two groups you normally see working together and there's been a really nice gelling of these groups."

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