My Kawartha Lakes article published Tuesday, May 14th, 2019
By My Kawartha Lakes
Health care agencies embark on joint self-assessment plan to capitalize on existing partnerships ahead of provincial changes
Several health care organizations in the City of Kawartha Lakes are discussing the formation of a local Ontario Health Team to better co-ordinate care and services for local residents.
On Feb. 26, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced plans to better connect the health care system by implementing Ontario Health Teams. Ontario Health Teams are groups of providers and organizations that are clinically and fiscally accountable for delivering a full and co-ordinated continuum of care to a defined geographic population.
Community Care Health and Care Network, City of Kawartha Lakes, Kawartha North Family Health Team, Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge, Extendicare Kawartha Lakes and Lakeland Village and the Ross Memorial Hospital are preparing a joint self-assessment to potentially form a local team.
These organizations have long partnered to serve their shared communities. They currently run joint programs and services under various formal agreements and memoranda of understanding. If approved, the locally developed Team would build on existing partnerships to provide seamless and co-ordinated care for local residents.
If the self-assessment is approved, the team will focus initially on enhancing co-ordinated care and services to a target population that includes seniors over 65 years who live alone or have a poor support network, who are frail, with complex medical needs or mental health or addictions issues who find it hard to navigate the health-care system, and who have been hospitalized within the last year. Over time, the scope of care and services as well as the patient/client/resident focus would expand.
The self-assessment will be submitted by May 15. The ministry will invite those that are ready, to submit a detailed application. The first phase of Ontario Health Team implementation is planned for the fall.