Ontario Expands Medical Transport Program to More Northeast Communities
The Ontario government will provide $1.3 million to expand the Transportation of Medically Stable Patients (TMSP) program to Blanche River Health, effective July 30. According to the Ministry of Health, this brings the total number of Northern Ontario communities served by the program to nine.
The Ministry of Health states that this expansion is intended to improve access to medical appointments and treatments for residents in Northeastern Ontario towns, including Kirkland Lake and Englehart, by offering non-emergency transport using vehicles other than ambulances. The ministry says the goal is to keep ambulances and paramedics available for urgent 911 calls while helping patients reach medical care.
The TMSP program provides transportation for medically stable patients to their homes, care facilities, or between hospitals for appointments in larger centres, such as Timmins, North Bay, and Sudbury, using vehicles that are not ambulances. The Ministry of Health states that this approach is intended to free up ambulances for emergencies and, according to the ministry, is more cost-effective than standard ambulance transport. Ministry officials estimate that the expansion will avoid approximately 2,250 ambulance patient trips over three years.
Jorge VanSlyke, President and CEO of Blanche River Health, said, “This investment ensures we can continue operating the two patient transfer vehicles—originally purchased through a generous legacy gift from Olga Jackson—for the benefit of our northern communities. It allows patients in Kirkland Lake, Englehart, and beyond to access essential medical appointments safely and on time, while preserving ambulance availability for emergencies.”
With this expansion, the TMSP program will support patient transport in Kirkland Lake and Englehart, Greater Sudbury, Parry Sound, Nipissing, Manitoulin-Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Temiskaming, Thunder Bay, and Rainy River. The Ministry of Health reports that approximately 13,500 patient transports and about 37,000 service hours are expected to be provided annually across Northern Ontario.
The Ministry of Health also highlighted ongoing efforts to address paramedic shortages in the region. Among these is the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, which the province says provides free tuition, books, compulsory fees, and other support for students in their first year of paramedic programs at certain post-secondary institutions. The province also reports having added more than 300 student spaces in paramedic programs across Ontario colleges.