Oxford Paramedics Launch Wish to Remember Program

Wednesday, 13 October 2021 06:17

The Wish to Remember program grants one final wish for palliative care patients in Oxford County.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford County Paramedics Services has launched a new program, to give palliative care patients one last wish.

The program is run by local EMS volunteers, who will help fulfill wishes such as, a trip back to the family farm, out for a special dinner or a trip to the beach to watch the sunset.

Paramedic Johanna Hampson-Ducharme says the volunteers will join residents on trips, to make sure they have the necessary care to leave the home.

"We will help to accommodate one last wish, get them one last trip to somewhere they want to go, if they are able too. It is just one way for us to give back."

Recently did a wish for Nancy, a resident of Woodingford Lodge who was previously a horse rider. Hampson-Ducharme wasn't on that wish, but says Nancy and her family were very grateful she got another chance to see her horses.

"She just wanted to go back to her barn to see her horses and her cat. So we were able to provide that, our crew went on the trip to make sure she had the medical support she needed to be able to get there."

Nancy has since passed, but her family continues to thank EMS for that special day.

The wish team had already done about 6 wishes. Referrals to the program are made through the Oxford County Palliative Care Outreach Team (PCOT) or a Community Paramedic. Once a wish has been requested, a paramedic will conduct an assessment to ensure the patient meets the criteria for the program.

Superintendent of Oxford County Paramedic Services Ryan Orton says they have a pretty special team in Oxford.

"We are so proud of our paramedics for bringing this program to Oxford County residents. They have shown incredible compassion and dedication in their work, proving it’s more than just a job to them. It is a privilege to support this initiative and to provide these incredibly special moments for our patients."

Oxford Paramedic Chief Ben Addley says they were happy to approve this program.

"Paramedic Services continually seeks ways to better serve our community, so when our paramedics saw a need for this program, it was important to us to find a way to fill this gap in service."