This week, we celebrated Paramedic Services Week in Canada and highlighted the amazing work of our staff on Twitter and Facebook. There were also daily prize giveaways donated by the TPS Care Fund and by TCEU Local 416 (winners are listed on the TPS Staff Blog). We are honoured to work alongside each of you and thank you for your commitment to serving our communities.
Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery
The Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery was created to honour paramedics who have performed an act of exceptional courage. This week, Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott, and many others, honoured 13 Paramedics for their courageous actions. Congratulations to our very own Andrew Lock!
To read Andrew’s story, visit the Ontario newsroom or visit the staff blog.
Provincial Update
Today, the Province announced that after having achieved the target to administer first doses to 65 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over ahead of schedule, preparations are now being made to roll out the eligibility for accelerated second dose appointments.
Beginning on May 31, 2021, individuals aged 80 and over will be eligible to book second dose appointments at an earlier interval of four weeks or later, pending vaccine availability. The anticipated schedule for eligibility to book a second dose appointment is available on the Province’s website.
Other recent announcements from the Province included the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine booking to youth 12+ ahead of schedule, and the allowance of outdoor visits at long-term care facilities.
City of Toronto Update
The City of Toronto and its healthcare partners are working hard to administer all available COVID-19 vaccines. To date, more than 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto!
Building on the work started in March by our Community Paramedics, with the support of UHN and Local Integrated Health Networks, the Team Toronto “Homebound Sprint” initiativeannounced that 65% of individuals identified to receive in-home vaccination had received at least one dose.
The City is proud of Toronto Paramedics and all Team Toronto partners for their work to ensure no one in the city who wishes to be vaccinated is left behind.
Excerpt from May 27, 2021 City Media Release
June will soon be upon us, and with it a month of recognition will begin as we celebrate Pride, seniors, and our country’s Indigenous History. We encourage everyone to acknowledge and recognize these events while keeping yourselves healthy and safe.
Take care, and continue to stay safe.
(Original signed by)
Jennifer Shield