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3 |Thursday June 8, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER |www.insidehalton.com New dispatch system: ambulance l a w n doesn't have to go to hospital yB R D S A if o u g ro w w e m o w by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff Ontario' s government is proposing to change the medical dispatch system to allow paramedics to not only provide on-scene treatment, but refer patients to non-hospital options, such as primary- and community-based care. Currendy, paramedics are legally required to transport patients to hospitals only According to the Province, the new flexibility would allow patients to receive the most appropriate care and reduce unnecessary trips to emergency departments. In 2015, more than one million patients were transported via land and air ambulance, of which, only one per cent were the most criticallyill and required immediate emergency transportation, according to the Province in a release outlining the proposed changes Monday, June 5. The new system would Greg Sage also fund two municipal pilot programs, where firefighters, certified as paramedics, could respond to low-acuity calls to treat and release, or treat and refer a patient, and provide symptom relief to patients in high-acuity calls. At least one of the two pilots is hoped to be in place by March 2018. It has the potential to improve the prioritization of calls, based on patient need, and redirect low-acuity patients to locations other than emergency departments, in situations where it was safe and appropriate. Once implemented, the government said the new dispatch system would see Ontarians experience less overcrowding, shorter wait times and faster movement through the emergency system. Ontario Labour Minister and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn called the new medical dispatch system a "major achievement for Ontario" that will allow residents to have better, faster and more efficient emergency services. "Our government is committed to ensuring patients can receive the care they deserve by reducing wait times and achieving a patient-centred experience," stated Flynn in a release. Emergency 911 services would continue to provide NOW BOOKING PROFESSIONAL WEEKLYGRASSCUTTING PROGRAMS Book Your W eekly Lawn M aintenance Today! Lawn Bros are the most Professional, Reliable, Competitively Priced & Award Winning Lawn Care Company Readers Choice Diamond Award Winner 4 consecutive years. Serving Oakville, Burlington & Milton Call Today For a Free Quote ( 905 ) 467-1507 · w w w .la w n b ro s .c a DcniCQ Injured? Disabled Benefits? I CAN HELP. My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: - Disability claim s * *Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, cPP - c a r Accidents - Slip and Falls - Wrongful Dismissal you DON'T PAY unless HAPPY 150t h see Changes on p.10 ." Spotlight Health Beaver Trails B e a v e r www.insideHALTON.com 6 Arts 47 Sports 48 Classified 49 51 61 P h a rm a sa ve, M e tro ,I D A , R ea lC a n a d ia nS u p ersto re, S o b eys, N oF r ills ,F re sh C o , F o o dB a sics, P ro m o b iz S o lu tio n s, S h o p p ers D ru gM a rt, S to n eL in kC o rp ., H o m eO u tfitters, F o rtin o s, D esja rd in s, L L n e nC h est, K itch enS tu ffP lu s, C en ten n ia lW in d o w s, M cK esso n ,R ex a ll P h a rm aP lu s, S ea rs, T G A p p lia n ces *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes i get you money . ` CANADA' For home delivery & customer service call 9 0 5 -6 3 1 -6 0 9 5 , 5 30 0 Harvester Rd., Burlington NEW suBscRiRTiONs call 9 05 -6 3 1 -6 0 9 5 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com o f f ic e s in o AKv ILLE and TOR o For a free consultation call: NTO oakville: 905.842.2022 toronto: 41 6.644.3999 email: sspadafora@ slspc.ca SAVE ON TIRES! REBATES UP TO $100 OFF Seasons change, so should your tires. OAKVILLE TO YO TA T IR E STORAGE (9 0 5 ) 8 4 2 - 8 4 0 0 2375 WYECROFT RD., OAKVILLE ON W W W .OAKVILLETOYOTA.CA A L IG N M E N T IN S P E C T IO N M O U N T IN G , B A L A N C IN G & IN S T A L L A T IO N ONLY $ .95 FREE +S tAA son ONLY $2 4 .9! +TAX W IT H THE PURCHASE O F 2 O R M O RE TIRES.