'It's all about dignity': At-home health-care program that uses paramedics in B.C. receives glowing reviews
While multiple levels of government scramble to fund and bring solutions to an overwhelmed primary health-care system, BC Emergency Health Services' community paramedicine (CP) program has been quietly working to serve patients in their homes and prevent them from unnecessary trips to busy emergency departments.
The CP program works in partnership with regional health authorities and local care teams in rural and remote communities.
"My role is more proactive medicine," said primary care paramedic Mike Wright. "I am the doctor's eyes and ears."
He's among 167 paramedics in B.C. who've completed training to become a CP since the program was tested in 2015 and rolled out in 2016.
Wright has been practising since 2018, working out of the Lake Cowichan Ambulance station, which covers a large territory including Lake Cowichan, Youbou, and Ditidaht Village.
He visits roughly 28 patients a week who have been referred to him from a primary care provider when they have a potentially life-ending or life-altering disease.
He makes trips to their homes for appointments of 45 minute to one hour – checking their vitals, assessing how they're doing, and helping them navigate a complex health-care system.
"If I see something that is concerning, I'm lucky enough where I can call the doctor right from the house, right beside the patient," he said.
BCEHS' most recent progress report finds there's been a 39 per cent drop in 911 calls made by patients who received community paramedicine services.
Wright estimates that eight times out of 10 he can resolve a medical concern inside the patient's home.
"We keep them in the home longer, which is invariably what they want," he said.
HONOURING TONY’S WISHES
We followed Wright to a pair of patient homes in the late fall.
His first stop was to see 87-year-old Tony Bond, who has since died.
Wright put on his face mask, grabbed a small bag of equipment for medical assessments, and then knocked on his patient's door. Inside, the cancer patient sat on his living room chair for his checkup which included a few basic questions on how he was doing.
"He makes me feel better," said Bond. "It's very nice to think that somebody gives a damn."
Tony Bond is pictured. (CTV News)In a brief interview, he didn’t talk about any discomfort he may have been feeling. Instead, he made a single wish clear.
"I don't want to go to the hospital," he said. "That's the last place on earth I want to go. And I don't want to die there either."
Wright confirms that wish was honoured. Bond died in his home in November, which he had said the CP program would make it easier to do.
"It's all about dignity and respecting what the patient wants while we're providing that level of care to them," said Wright at the time of our fall interview.
Bond wasn't the only one expressing his gratitude.
FRIENDSHIP AND TRUST
Margaret Beldessi said she became connected to the program through her late husband. He was a patient first, then Wright continued caring for Beldessi after her partner died in 2020.
"It's made a big difference," said the 94-year-old. "I don't have any worries."
"If I get up in the morning and something is bothering me, I can just phone Mike," she said.
She said he’s become a good friend and a person she can rely on – which is especially helpful since taking a trip to her doctor isn't easy.
As he wrapped up his visit, Wright reassured her: "You can call me if you need anything."
Margaret Beldessi, a patient with BC Emergency Health Services' community paramedicine program, is shown in her home. (CTV News)
GROWING PROGRAM
In addition to reducing calls to 911, BCEHS's 2022 progress report finds the CP program is also meeting objectives to bridge health-care gaps and stabilize paramedic staffing in rural and remote communities in our province.
The program expanded from 99 to 100 communities this year.
"I think the sky is the limit on this and I think there's a huge need for it," said Wright.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.