County of Simcoe to launch new medical dispatch triage system

Midhurst/September 25, 2024 – With the support of the Province of Ontario, the County of Simcoe is improving emergency medical response to communities across the region. This fall, County of Simcoe Paramedic Services will join services throughout the province in implementing the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS).

MPDS is an internationally recognized medical call triage and decision support tool that improves the dispatching of paramedics to patients in life-threatening situations, such as a cardiac arrest, unconsciousness or choking.

When calling 9-1-1 to request emergency medical assistance, callers should expect to be asked more detailed questions than in the past. These questions will help dispatchers gather vital information regarding a patient’s condition so that they can assess the situation, determine the nature and urgency of the emergency, and assign the priority level and type of response required.

Patients with non-life-threatening needs may receive a delayed response from paramedics as a result, however dispatchers will remain in contact with callers, ensuring they remain stable and are able to safely wait until paramedics can respond to their needs. A delayed response would only occur if all available paramedics are tasked with more urgent emergencies.

The new system will become active in November 2024. Full details on the MPDS system and what it means for callers of 9-1-1 can be found at simcoe.ca/mpds.

About County of Simcoe

County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

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Contact:

Collin Matanowitsch Manager, Public Relations County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department | 705-734-8386 (mobile) | Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca