Push for Ontario Health Team continues
Ministry to make final selections later this fall
The local proposal for an Ontario Health Team (OHT) is nearing completion.
In July, the team made up of 16 organizations was given the approval to submit a full application to become an OHT.
Under the People’s Healthcare Act of 2019, the Ford government introduced the concept of OHTs.
According to the Ministry of Health’s website, these teams will “provide a new way of organizing and delivering care that is more connected to patients in their local communities.”
If approved, Durham OHT members would share the responsibility of delivering all health services in the geographic area.
The local application must be completed by Oct. 9, and the ministry is expected to announce the first round of teams later in the fall. If approved, partners within the OHT would collaborate on several projects, including sharing patient information and data.
According to a media release, they will also demonstrate how the OHT will improve access to health services and outcomes for patients, including reducing re-admissions to the emergency department.
In its first year, the OHT would specifically focus on two patient groups – older adults living with frailty and individuals living with complex conditions including mental health and addictions issues.
The oversight committee of the OHT proposal includes organizations in primary care, acute care, home and community care providers, along with regional government, community health care providers, and patient, family, and caregiver representatives.
If Durham’s application moves forward, four working groups will be formed in the first year;
– A clinical working group to develop plans to provide integrated care to populations of need
– A digital working group focused on using digital health information and technology to enhance care delivery
– A governance working group to develop the OHT’s interim framework
– A home and community care working group to focus on designing innovative service delivery and increasing performance accountability
“It is exciting to see the tremendous commitment that partners, patients, and caregivers have to create a strong, integrated regional health system in Durham,” said Matthew Anderson, president and CEO of Lakeridge Health. “Through the OHT partnerships, we will be collectively better able to meet the community’s growing and diverse health care needs.”
Organizations involved with the proposal include Alzheimer Society Durham Region; Community Care Durham; Lakeridge Health; Grandview Children’s Centre; Carea Community Health Centre; March of Dimes Canada; Durham Region; and VON Durham, among others.