Kawartha Lakes Paramedics Set 2026 Goals to Enhance Response Times

At a recent council meeting on August 26, 2024, the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service (KLPS) outlined its strategic response goals for 2026. The presentation, led by Deputy Chief Jamie Golden, focused on enhancing emergency care delivery for residents as the volume of 911 calls continues to increase.

KLPS has developed a comprehensive Response Time Performance Plan, which sets benchmarks for how quickly paramedics respond to urgent medical situations, particularly those involving sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and other high-priority emergencies. “Every second counts when someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest or severe trauma,” said Golden, emphasizing the critical nature of timely medical intervention. “Our goal is to ensure the people of Kawartha Lakes get rapid, professional care when they need it most.”

Current Performance and Initiatives

The paramedic service has already surpassed several of its performance targets. In 2024, paramedics reached SCA patients within six minutes nearly 40% of the time, significantly exceeding the provincial target of 25%. Response times for other emergency calls are also being closely monitored, with specific targets established using the Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS), which ranks emergencies from levels 1 to 5.

KLPS has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving response times despite the rising demand for services. The addition of four full-time paramedics last year has bolstered coverage in Lindsay, enabling better service delivery. Moreover, innovative deployment strategies—such as mobile ambulance posts and reallocating crews to areas experiencing high demand—have facilitated quicker response times across the municipality.

Collaboration with local healthcare facilities has also played a crucial role in enhancing efficiency. The Designated Offload Nurse Program allows paramedics to transition patients swiftly from ambulances to emergency departments, thereby reducing wait times. Additionally, the Fit2Sit program, in partnership with Ross Memorial Hospital, ensures that patients who do not require urgent care can be treated or monitored without occupying emergency resources.

Looking Ahead

The Community Paramedic Program further supports residents by offering home visits, preventative care, and follow-ups, effectively minimizing repeat emergency calls. Chief Sara Johnston stated, “Working closely with our hospital and community partners allows us to serve residents more efficiently and safely. We’re always looking for ways to improve response times and ensure the community has access to quality care when it matters most.”

Mayor Doug Elmslie underscored the significance of these initiatives, noting, “Paramedics are often the first, and sometimes the only lifeline for people in emergencies. It’s reassuring to know that our service is not only meeting provincial targets but exceeding them in critical cases.”

As KLPS prepares for the future, it plans to continue monitoring performance on a monthly basis, reviewing call volumes, response times, and patient outcomes. With the upcoming provincial rollout of the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), the service anticipates that new dispatch protocols will further enhance operational efficiency.