DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard
KAWARTHA LAKES: Local residents can expect a more efficient ambulance dispatch system, starting later this month, on Wednesday, March 26th, with the introduction of the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). The new system, designed to prioritize life-threatening calls over less urgent ones, was presented to the City of Kawartha Lakes Council, during their meeting, on Tuesday, March 4th.
MPDS aims to enhance emergency response times for critical cases, while ensuring those with non-life-threatening medical issues receive appropriate care, even if it means longer wait times. Under the new system, an ambulance communications officer will remain in contact with callers, providing support and monitoring patient conditions until paramedics arrive. “This system allows us to respond to the most urgent cases faster, ultimately saving lives,” said Paramedic Chief Sara Johnston. Residents are encouraged to learn more, by watching an informational video, from area Paramedic Chiefs, or visiting the MPDS webpage.
During the same meeting, Ms. Johnston presented the 2024 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service, highlighting improvements and ongoing challenges within the service. She noted, while demand for service continues to rise at a steady rate, the number of instances where no ambulances are available to respond, known as Code Zeroes, has decreased. Additionally, system utilization rates have stabilized within acceptable levels, validating the road map set out in the Paramedic Service Master Plan.
However, operational costs per unit have increased, slightly above the 2021 Municipal Benchmarking Network comparator mean, emphasizing the need for evidence-driven transformation, to meet future patient care challenges, with limited funding. “We have to ensure every dollar is used efficiently while still providing the highest standard of care to our community,” Ms. Johnston explained.
Staff wellness was another key area of focus, with lost time, due to physical and mental health injuries, requiring attention. Supporting staff, as they navigate workplace stress and mental health challenges, remains a priority moving forward. “Our paramedics do an incredible job under immense pressure. We need to continue finding ways to support them, so they can keep providing the best care possible,” Ms. Johnston told councillors.
Fleet maintenance and costs also remain a concern, as aging vehicles and supply chain challenges have led to maintenance expenses exceeding the annual budget. The service is exploring safety measures, to reduce vehicle incidents, and strategies, to lower carbon emissions in the long term.
To enhance accountability and service quality, the department has developed a Patient Experience Survey, allowing the public to provide feedback on service delivery. “Hearing directly from residents about their experiences helps us measure performance and find areas for improvement,” Ms. Johnston added.
With MPDS set to launch and ongoing improvements in emergency response, the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service continues to adapt and innovate, to meet the community’s changing healthcare needs.
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