The Northumberland County Community Health Committee met Tuesday, February 3, to discuss several ongoing and long-term issues affecting health services in the region.
One key topic was ambulance off-load delays at local hospitals, where paramedics spend extended time waiting to transfer care to emergency department staff. Committee members reviewed data showing that delays in 2025 accounted for many hours tied up at facilities the paramedics most often respond to, including Northumberland Hills Hospital, Campbellford Memorial Hospital, Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Trenton Memorial Hospital. Officials say delays can impact response times and reduce operational readiness, and further discussion on the matter will be brought before full county council later this month.
The committee also received a briefing on future capacity planning for Campbellford Memorial Hospital. A new campus of care is being planned on a donated site near County Roads 30 and 35, with a facility that could include more than 60 acute-care beds, long-term care, supportive senior housing, community mental health services and outpatient supports. While timelines and financing are advancing, committee members were told significant infrastructure, planning and community involvement will be needed as the project moves forward.
In other business, members considered a request from one of the county’s advisory bodies about reimbursement for mileage and costs associated with attending meetings. The committee asked county staff to prepare a report on whether adjustments to current policies – which now provide no per diem or travel expense for most volunteers – should be recommended to council.
The Community Health Committee meets monthly to provide input to county council on matters related to paramedics, community paramedicine, long-term care homes and broader community health services.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
