The Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RCVTAC) has transformed from a pandemic healthcare service to an important lifeline for those without a family doctor.
Chair of the County of Renfrew Health Committee and Mayor for the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Michael Donohue, provided an update to County Council on Wednesday (January 25th, 2023). Donohue told members of county council approximately 28 percent of the population or 30,000 local residents do not have a family physician.
Donohue and Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon had a delegation with the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health as part of the recent Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) conference. Donohue notes RCVTAC is helping transform healthcare in Ontario by meeting patients in their homes and reduce hallway medicine.
The Chair of the Health Committee says finding reliable and predictable funding from the province is a priority.
County representatives say RCVTAC is continuing to work extremely well and is a good local solution to ensure all residents have easy, safe access to primary care. The healthcare service is also reducing the number of visits to hospital emergency departments.
When RCVTAC marked 1,000 days of serving residents last month, Michael Nolan, Chief of the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service, said the service strengthens timely access to integrated healthcare services for all residents for any non-emergency medical concerns they may have. Nolan added that RCVTAC has been used by tens of thousands of residents, resulting in fewer calls to 911 and emergency department visits, protecting these important resources for people experiencing a life-threatening emergency condition.
The County of Renfrew says they would like to continue providing the service of RCVTAC, but require support and financial resources from the province. Emon told County Council the Ministry is actively considering the funding request for RCVTAC.
On March 27th, 2023, RCVTAC will celebrate three years of serving residents across Renfrew County and the City of Pembroke. In February of last year, the Ontario Government committed to funding for the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RCVTAC) until March 31st, 2023.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
