Simcoe County to implement Medical Priority Dispatch System next week

Posted November 8, 2024

 

Beginning November 14, Simcoe County paramedics will be called out under a new Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) meaning urgent, life-threatening calls - cardiac or respiratory arrest, heart attack, severe allergic reaction or unconscious - are responded to first, while non-life-threatening calls may receive a delayed response.

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The MPDS system is being rolled out in Simcoe County, York Region, Beausoleil First Nation and Rama First Nations, replacing what is mostly a first call first served system. MPDS operates in Toronto, Peel Region, and Ottawa, among other municipalities.

 

This new system empowers dispatchers to gather more information, helping them assess the urgency of a call and prioritize the response, but will  will remain in contact with callers, ensuring they remain stable and are able to safely wait until paramedics can respond to their needs.

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"911 callers with lower-priority issues such as a broken bone with no bleeding, flu, badly sprained ankle, and other non-urgent problems will still get help, but it may take longer than usual for paramedics to arrive," according to the information page (link below). "We know those people may be frustrated with the wait, however, know that if you are waiting it is because Paramedics are assisting someone with a more urgent medical emergency in the community."

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Click here for full details - https://simcoe.ca/MPDS/