The following was distributed by John Yakabuski MPP on Mar.24 2023:
An innovative idea that started in Renfrew County during the COVID-19 pandemic is being continued after proven success in the region. The Ontario government is investing $3.2 million in 2023-24 to support the continuation of Renfrew County’s Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (VTAC), which was first established in March 2020, to ensure residents in the area could continue to access health care. This funding will be used to build on the success of this innovative virtual care model, helping to ensure that residents of Renfrew County, specifically those without a primary care provider, avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department.
The VTAC model enables residents to call a toll-free number and schedule a same day virtual appointment with a physician as well as receive in-home visits and remote monitoring by community paramedics. Since launching, the VTAC has provided services to nearly 20,000 patients, including approximately 48,000 physician assessments and 5,500 paramedic home assessments.
This model is designed to improve the patient experience and divert lower acuity patients away from emergency departments and has received high patient satisfaction to date. With this continued investment in VTAC, Renfrew County residents will continue to be able to connect to publicly-funded health care, closer to home.
“I am very pleased that our request for continued funding of this exceptional program has been approved,” said MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke John Yakabuski. “From its inception as a response to the pandemic, Renfrew County’s Virtual Triage and Assessment Center (VTAC) has shown to be a model of connected care worthy of permanent funding. I want to thank Minister Jones for her commitment to exactly that. This is tremendous news for the patients and families in Renfrew County.” concluded Yakabuski.
“Our government is implementing our bold plan to ensure Ontarians, no matter where they live, can connect to convenient care, closer to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “What started as an innovative idea in 2020, Renfrew County’s Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre has proven its value in the community and will continue to deliver needed care for local patients and families for generations to come.”
Lapinskie,L.(2023,Mar.24) Ontario Extends Funding for Virtual Care in Renfrew County – Successful Virtual Triage and Assessment Model Being Continued [media release]
