Questions and Answers
- Call 211 or visit 211 Ontario
- Visit Urgent Care Ontario for medical conditions that are not life threatening but need urgent attention: www.urgentcareontario.ca
- Talk to a Pharmacist
- Visit a medical walk-in clinic in your community if one is available. Visit Oxford Ontario Health Team (Oxford OHT) for a list of clinics: https://oxfordoht.ca/primary-care-resources-without-a-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner/#walk-inUrgentCareClinics
What is the Medical Priority Dispatch System?
The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is a software tool that helps prioritize emergency medical calls made to 911 (not calls for fire or police).
It helps identify which ambulance calls should be responded to first based on how serious a patient's medical condition is at the time of their call. If their condition changes, their priority level is reassessed.
The system is used around the world and is evidence based, meaning it relies on best available research.
At Oxford County, MPDS will ensure patients receive the right care and equipment at the right time.
What will happen when I call 911 for an ambulance?
911 dispatchers will continue to be ready to take your call and ensure you get the emergency medical help you need.
For a medical emergency, you may be asked a few more questions to help dispatchers better understand how urgent or serious your condition is. You may also get a call back to check on your status during longer waits.
Please note: calls involving life-threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or unconsciousness, will continue to receive the highest priority response-- as they do now.
When speaking to dispatchers, please provide as many details as possible to ensure you are provided with the best possible care for your situation.
Will less urgent calls still receive a response?
Yes! Oxford County Paramedic Services will continue responding to non-life-threatening medical calls. It is during periods of high demand that response times may be longer for less urgent calls while paramedics are attending to more critical emergencies.
Ambulance dispatchers will also continue to monitor calls where ambulance response is delayed, for instance by calling back to check in on the person's condition.
Please note that paramedics already on their way to a low-priority call may be redirected to a higher priority, life-threatening emergency call if needed.
What if my condition worsens while I'm waiting for an ambulance?
If your condition changes while waiting for paramedics, please notify 911 Dispatch immediately when they call back to check your status, or call 911 again if the situation becomes more serious. Emergency medical calls will be reassessed and reprioritized as needed. The new system is designed to ensure that the most serious patients at any moment are seen first.
If I call an ambulance, will I see a doctor faster in the emergency department?
No. Hospitals use a triage system to determine the urgency of every patient’s condition, whether they arrived by ambulance or walking in. This ensures that the sickest and most critical patients are treated first.
Where else can I get care if my situation is urgent but not an emergency?
If your medical situation is not urgent, you may be able to use other health services in your community.