Expectation vs. Reality in Community Centred Care

Table of Contents:

• MICR Unit Pilot Proving Essential for Mental Health Response in Comox Valley

• The Invisible Safety Net: How North Lanark’s Collaborative Healthcare Web Supports Patients at Home

• Bridging the Divide: Why the EMS Funding Model Must Change to Match Professional Expectations

Read time: 3 minutes

New Program

The Mobile Integrated Crisis Response (MICR) unit in the Comox Valley has reported significant early success since launching as a pilot program in September 2025. This joint initiative pairs a Comox Valley RCMP officer with a registered psychiatric nurse from Island Health to respond to mental health-related calls directly at the street level. By combining clinical expertise with law enforcement, the unit provides compassionate, real-time assessments that often prevent unnecessary hospital visits and reduce the burden on traditional emergency services.

Local officials highlighted that the program allows for a more empathetic approach to complex social issues that police alone are not specifically trained to handle. While preliminary data is positive, the unit is currently a temporary one-year pilot that relies on staff reassigned from other departments. Moving forward, the program's long-term sustainability depends on securing dedicated funding to maintain its four-day-a-week operations in the community.

Partnerships

Healthcare in North Lanark is described as a "living web" rather than a single institution, where multiple organizations coordinate to provide seamless support from the hospital to the home. The Mississippi River Health Alliance—comprising local hospitals, Fairview Manor, and paramedic services—works in tandem with Home Hospice North Lanark and Houle Healthcare to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time. Paramedics play a dual role by not only responding to emergencies but also providing in-home palliative care and medical check-ups.

When patients transition back home, community partners step in with specialized equipment, clinical assessments, and grief counseling to help families rebuild their "new normal." This collaborative approach ensures that the "invisible hands" of the community provide dignity and comfort during life's most difficult moments. Ultimately, the article emphasizes that local support and volunteerism are what keep this essential safety net strong and responsive to the needs of the community.

The Future

Bridging the Divide: Why the EMS Funding Model Must Change to Match Professional Expectations

The EMS profession is currently stalled because the industry’s economic reality cannot support its professional aspirations. While there is a push for higher education and clinical expansion, the current funding model remains outdated, reimbursing only for transportation rather than medical expertise or readiness. This disconnect has led to high turnover rates and stagnant wages, as paramedics are expected to meet rising standards without corresponding financial support. Additionally, the article notes that traditional metrics like "response times" are often prioritized over actual patient outcomes, further hindering progress. To survive, the author argues that EMS must move away from "unfunded mandates" and secure a fundamental overhaul of its reimbursement and delivery models.