Illustration of an individual holding a phone while on a call with a healthcare provider, and another healthcare provider standing nearby.

Paramedics and Social Prescribing

Paramedics and Social Prescribing helps paramedic teams use social prescribing to connect clients with local, non-medical community services that improve health and well-being, ensuring people receive the right care and support, in the right place.

This program will support up to 30 teams to systematize social prescribing within their service. Through this offering, participants from across the country can collaborate, share knowledge and explore approaches for integrating social prescribing into their service.

Why join Paramedics and Social Prescribing?

Become part of a movement transforming healthcare, supported by:

Seed funding up to $30,000.
Small group coaching on implementing and sustaining a social prescribing pathway, led by experts in social prescribing, community paramedicine and change management.
Proven tools and evidence-informed resources that help you implement and measure what works.
Virtual and in-person* learning and networking where you can share knowledge, learn from peers and achieve more together.

*HEC will cover costs for travel, meals and accommodations for in-person events.

Participating teams will be supported to pursue their goals while building essential skills in equity, cultural safety, patient engagement and safety. They’ll also explore key topics like quality improvement and working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Apply today and make social prescribing a regular part of paramedic care

Paramedics and Social Prescribing runs for 18 months starting in September 2025. Applications are open from May 12 to June 27, 2025.

Find more information, including eligibility criteria, in the Call for Applications.
Have questions? See the FAQ.
Create an account or sign in to the portal to register.

Apply now

Who should apply?

Paramedics teams and services across Canada are invited to apply. This offering builds on their existing work and connections, providing tools and support to make social prescribing a regular part of care.

Priority may be given to paramedic services with established community paramedic programs to enable them to rapidly implement the intervention.

Illustration of a healthcare provider showing a tablet to a seated individual with three surrounding bubbles containing images of playing cards, food and reading material signifying connection to resources and support.

"This program is a great opportunity for paramedicine in Canada to formalize and further solidify its role in addressing unmet social needs - paramedics already do this in their everyday practice, and this program will help us to share best practices and improve service delivery."

- Alan Batt PhD, Associate Professor of Paramedicine

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing connects people with community support and services to address non-medical needs that impact their health and well-being. It brings healthcare workers and community members together with the individual to co-create a personalized plan or "social prescription" for better health. This could include connections to a food bank, senior centre, class, recreational activity, legal support, and more.

Paramedics are in a unique position to support social prescribing. They meet people where they are—at home and in the community—and can leverage these touchpoints to make connections with essential resources.

In some paramedic services, over 50 percent of 911 calls are for non-emergencies. Social prescribing, led by paramedics, can help. It has been shown to improve mental health (PDF), reduce repeat emergency department visits (PDF) and deliver a strong return on investment.

Expand your participation—and your impact

This offering is part of Care Forward, a larger initiative that provides funding and learning supports to drive impact on four key priorities: expanding access to care and easing pressure on emergency departments, helping more people age where they call home, advancing person-centred long-term care and supporting the health workforce. Teams are encouraged to explore various Care Forward offerings to boost their skills and amplify their impact.

Enhancing Integrated Care

Open to organizations working to strengthen integrated team-based care, including virtual care.

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Primary Care Access Improvement

Offers team-based primary care organizations opportunities to create efficiencies and optimize team functioning so they can provide timely access to care.

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Right Care Challenge

Open to health and social care teams ensuring people get the right care, at the right time, in the right place —all while helping reduce avoidable emergency department visits.

Learn more