Shared Health launched a Community Paramedics program in May 2025 to provide medical outreach to vulnerable patients in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba [1, 2].

This initiative aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access by connecting patients to necessary health and social services. By deploying paramedics directly into communities, the program seeks to reduce emergency room congestion and ensure that high-risk individuals receive preventative care before a crisis occurs.

The program operates with a subscription model for participants. During the first year, the cost is $5.77 plus GST every four weeks [1]. After 52 weeks, the subscription fee increases to $19.95 plus GST every four weeks [1].

These efforts complement other regional initiatives, such as the advanced care paramedic program. That specific program utilizes 14 clinical staff across seven locations to serve rural and northern Manitoba [4, 5].

While the new outreach program expands service delivery, the broader paramedic workforce in the region faces challenges. A union representing 390 paramedics and dispatchers in Winnipeg has previously highlighted concerns regarding the workforce [3].

The Community Paramedics program focuses on long-term health management rather than just emergency response. This shift allows paramedics to act as a link between the patient and the broader healthcare system, helping them navigate social services and medical appointments in their own homes [1, 2].

“The program provides outreach and connects vulnerable patients to needed services.”

The shift toward community paramedicine represents a transition from a reactive emergency-response model to a proactive public health strategy. By integrating social services with clinical care in rural and urban settings, Manitoba is attempting to lower the systemic burden on hospitals and emergency departments through preventative outreach.