Emergency medical calls in Norfolk County will soon be handled using a new system designed to better match paramedic resources with the severity of each case.
Beginning today, the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Hamilton Central Ambulance Communication Centre will implement the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) for Norfolk County and other areas it serves, including Hamilton, Haldimand, Brant/Brantford, and Six Nations.
The MPDS program is already in use in several regions across Ontario, including Ottawa, Peel, Halton, York, Niagara, and Toronto.
The system is designed to help 9-1-1 dispatchers assess the urgency of medical calls by asking callers more detailed questions about the patient’s condition.
Based on those responses, dispatchers can assign the most appropriate type of paramedic crew and equipment to the situation.
Officials note that while life-threatening emergencies will continue to receive immediate attention, lower-priority calls may experience longer response times during periods of high demand.
Dispatchers will stay on the line with callers to monitor changes in patient condition and provide updates until help arrives.
According to the Ministry of Health, data from other jurisdictions has shown that MPDS can improve coordination of paramedic services, reduce hospital delays, and help manage system-wide workload pressures.
The change marks the latest step in ongoing efforts to modernize emergency medical response in Norfolk County and the surrounding region.