Residents calling 9-1-1 for a medical emergency will see changes beginning October 14 as the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is implemented for the Grey County region. The London Central Ambulance Communications Centre dispatches ambulances serving Grey County and is implementing the new system as part of the Ontario Ministry of Health’s plan to modernize medical dispatch.
MPDS is an internationally recognized dispatching system that uses structured, evidence-based questions to assess the urgency of medical emergencies and determine the most appropriate response. The system will help ensure patients with life-threatening emergencies receive the fastest care possible.
Under the new system, callers may be asked more questions than they would have been under the previous dispatch model. These questions help dispatchers understand the patient’s condition and the details help provide paramedics with important information before they arrive.
As call volumes continue to increase in Grey County, MPDS will help prioritize ambulance response based on the severity of the medical emergency. Paramedics will continue responding and providing care for calls they are dispatched to, but response priority will be determined based on clinical urgency. The system will help to ensure ambulances are available for patients who need them most while maintaining emergency coverage through Grey County communities.
Grey County responded to more than 17,000 calls for service in 2025, the highest annual call volume in the history of the service. Effective deployment and prioritization have become increasingly important as call volumes continue growing.
“Grey County paramedics are committed to providing high-quality care to every patient we serve, while helping ensure ambulance resources are available when and where they are needed most,” said Jessica Robb, Grey County Paramedics Operations Manager. “Answering additional questions will not delay response. Instead, it helps ensure resources are deployed appropriately based on each patient’s needs.”
The implementation of MPDS doesn’t change when residents should call 9-1-1. Anyone experiencing or witnessing a medical emergency should continue calling 9-1-1 immediately.
