The Community Paramedicine service is adding a van to allow for use as a clinic and street outreach vehicle.
Currently, the Community Paramedicine program uses SUVs to offer non-emergency clinics at four locations across the city, as well as home monitoring services.
Paramedic chief Katie Kirkham said during Thursday's meeting of the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board that adding a van to the Community Paramedicine program will achieve two goals: making it easier to set up those clinics, as well as the ability to begin offering street outreach services.
"What we want to do is to be able to take our equipment that we currently move with a trailer. We want to be able to put it into a van and that will help make that transporting of equipment more efficient," Kirkham said to the board.
"It also does open an opportunity as we have some pressures in our community for and some opportunities for street outreach This van would be able to double and be a vehicle for providing that service, should our programs move in that direction — and I can tell you that our programs will move in that direction. There is a need there."
Board member Lisa Vezeau-Allen asked how a Community Paramedicine street outreach would compare to the services currently offered by the Community Wellness Bus.
"Right now the way that the system is set up, it would come in through the 911 system and the ambulance would respond. Quite often when paramedics get to the scene, these patients don't want to go to the hospital, but they do need additional [treatment] — whether that's crisis intervention or counselling or social services of some some degree," said Kirkham.
"I know that there are other organizations that are discussing street outreach and possible vehicles and things like that. There is lots of need beyond one vehicle or two vehicles and we would work really closely with those organizations to ensure that we're not all chasing after the same problem."
The cost of the van is just under $120,000, which Kirkham said would be funded within the current budget.
The board approved the purchase during its meeting on Thursday.
"As we continue to navigate the complexities of an aging population, mental health challenges, and addiction crises, alongside the persistent issue of limited access to primary care, it is imperative that we strengthen our paramedicine services,” said DSSAB Board Chair Stephanie Hopkin in a news release following the vote.
Kirkham noted the street outreach component would require additional funding from the province.
"There is a potential for funding there and I think it's the direction that we need to go," she said.