The County of Renfrew will dip into reserves to make sure their Virtual Triage can operate through March.
Warden Peter Emon says County Council passed a motion at their Wednesday, March 1st meeting which earmarks funds to hold the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre over while they wait for word on government funding.
Emon says the the total being held for RC VTAC is around $100,000, and is necessary to keep the program running while the County waits for the Provincial Government to reveal their budget on March 23rd.
The previous block of funding that the province had provided for VTAC is wrapping up, and Emon adds that their discussions this time around have been to make the funding (and VTAC) a permanent fixture.
In the meantime, he says the money the County is taking out of their various reserve funds is just a temporary measure.
Emon and the County have stressed to government officials that the Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre has become a vital part of the health care system locally, and provides service for around 35,000 people.
(written by Kasey Egan)
