Medical Priority Dispatch System

Beginning in October 2026, the Ministry of Health, London Central Ambulance Communication Centre and Bruce County are introducing the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) to improve how 911 medical calls are handled.
Ontario's Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
Bruce County Paramedic Services crest.

MPDS optimizes paramedic resources, prioritizes the most urgent 9-1-1 calls and ensures the right care at the right time.

Fast and efficient emergency medical care to all residents and visitors is essential, and the Medical Priority Dispatch System’s advanced triage processes will ensure lifesaving help gets where it’s needed most in our community.

The expansion of the Medical Priority Dispatch System is part of the Ontario government’s Your Health Plan to ensure that paramedic services provide the right care at the right time, while easing pressures on emergency departments.

MPDS is an internationally used, evidence-based system that helps call-takers quickly understand what is happening, ask structured questions, and send the right help at the right time. The goal is simple: make sure the most serious, life-threatening emergencies receive the fastest possible response.

With MPDS, calls are prioritized based on how urgent they are. This means some patients may wait longer if their condition is not life-threatening, while paramedics are helping someone in critical need. Callers will be asked more questions, may receive care instructions over the phone, and should always call back if the situation worsens. Every call remains important, and help will come as quickly as possible based on urgency.

Medical Priority Dispatch System uses a structured protocol system to categorize calls based on severity:

  • Priority levels: Calls are assigned a code (e.g., 9-E-1) indicating the urgency and required response.
  • Pre-arrival instructions: Dispatchers provide guidance on actions to take before help arrives.
  • Real-time support: Continuous communication ensures ongoing assessment and assistance.
  • Faster response times: Prioritizes the most urgent cases, improving patient outcomes.
  • Optimized resource use: Ensures ambulances, fire and police services are deployed effectively.
  • Enhanced safety: Reduces the need for lights-and-sirens driving, lowering traffic-related risks.
  • Consistent care: Standardized protocols support fairness and equity in emergency responses.

When you call 9-1-1, you can expect to be asked questions. This is normal and helps get you the right care. Even if there is a wait, your call matters, and help will come as soon as possible.

If you need emergency medical help:

  • Stay calm and speak clearly
  • Provide the exact location of the emergency
  • Answer all of the dispatcher’s questions
  • Follow instructions carefully
  • Stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you it is okay to hang up

Your cooperation plays a critical role in helping paramedics provide the best possible care.

  • MPDS is a globally recognized system used by emergency communications centres worldwide
  • Dispatchers are specially trained and certified to use the system
  • Calls may be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes

This ensures that every call is handled with professionalism, accuracy, and care.

In many cases, the dispatcher will provide pre-arrival instructions to help you care for the patient until paramedics arrive.

You may receive step-by-step guidance for:

  • CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
  • Using an AED (automated external defibrillator)
  • Assisting someone who is choking
  • Controlling severe bleeding
  • Helping during childbirth

These instructions can save lives. Stay on the line and follow directions carefully.

Bruce County Paramedic Services is committed to providing the highest standard of emergency medical response. By using MPDS, we ensure that:

  • The most urgent calls receive immediate attention
  • Patients receive early care through dispatcher guidance
  • Emergency resources are used effectively and safely
image of ambulance

MPDS (Medical Priority Dispatch System) is a system used by 9-1-1 call-takers to quickly understand what is happening and decide how urgent your situation is. It helps send the right help, at the right time, to the people who need it most.

MPDS is used around the world and is based on medical evidence. It helps emergency services use resources wisely and ensures the sickest patients get help first.

When you call 911, you are connected with a highly trained emergency medical dispatcher who is there to help you every step of the way. Bruce County Paramedic Services uses the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), an internationally recognized system designed to ensure you receive the right help, as quickly and safely as possible.

Call 9-1-1 for serious or life-threatening emergencies, such as:

  • Chest pain or heart attack symptoms
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
  • Severe bleeding
  • Major trauma or injury
  • Stroke symptoms

If you are unsure, it is always better to call. The dispatcher will help determine the next steps.

The questions are very important. They help the call-taker figure out how serious the situation is. Even if it feels repetitive, each answer helps decide how quickly paramedics need to respond and what care may be needed on arrival.

Yes. In many cases, help is already being dispatched while you are still on the phone. The questions do not delay care; they help make sure the correct response is sent.

Life-threatening emergencies get the fastest response. This includes situations like cardiac arrest, trouble breathing, stroke, or serious injuries. Paramedics will often respond with lights and sirens.

If the situation is not immediately life-threatening, there may be a longer wait. This is because paramedics must first respond to the most critical patients where every second counts.

No. Every call is important. A longer wait simply means that someone else may be in a more urgent, life-threatening situation at that moment.

You may receive follow-up calls from the communications center to check on the patient. This helps make sure nothing has changed while you are waiting.

If the patient’s condition changes or gets worse, call 9-1-1 again right away. The situation will be reassessed and can be upgraded to a higher priority.

Yes. It helps reduce unnecessary responses by sending the right resources to each call. This can improve availability for serious, life-threatening emergencies.

No. Whether you arrive by ambulance or on your own, a Triage Nurse will ask you several questions and perform a few simple procedures to assess your condition. This will help them decide how urgently you need to be seen by a doctor. This process is known as Triage. Patients are treated based on how urgent their health care needs are.