ED Diversion Project

(Photo provided by Health Sciences North)

By Stew Kernan

Health Sciences North and Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services have partnered on a new pilot project that gets people who are impaired due to addictions and mental health issues the help they need sooner.

The idea is to divert patients from the emergency department to a safe environment where they receive supportive care to help them through their withdrawal process.

Paramedics assess the patient and instead of immediately taking them to the emergency department, they may divert to another location.

Dr. Jason Prpic says project is also taking some of the pressure off the emergency department.

Since it was launched in June, the pilot has been successful in diverting 53 people to Withdrawal Management Services, and another 14 people to Crisis Intervention.