Province of Ontario

07/13/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/13/2023 13:25

Ontario Making it Faster and Easier to Access Health Care in Northern Communities

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SUDBURY - The Ontario government has approved three new Ontario Health Teams in Northeastern Ontario that will break down barriers to better connect people to care within their community. By working together, Ontario Health Teams ensure people can move between health care providers more easily with one patient record and one plan that follows them wherever they go.

"Across the province, Ontario Health Teams are transforming the way people in Ontario access care and play a critical role in building a more convenient and better-connected health care system," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "With the approval of these three new teams, our government is ensuring providers work together to provide people faster and easier access to the care they need, when they need it."

The three new Ontario Health Teams are:

  • Équipe Santé Ontario Cochrane District Ontario Health Team, serving Chapleau, Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, Hearst, Hornepayne, Missinabie, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, and Timmins;
  • Équipe Santé Ontario Sudbury Espanola Manitoulin Elliot Lake Ontario Health Team, serving Greater Sudbury and Sudbury East, Espanola, Manitoulin, Elliot Lake, and surrounding areas; and
  • Équipe Santé Ontario des régions du Timiskaming Area Ontario Health Team, serving the Timiskaming District and surrounding region.

This expansion will help people in Northeastern Ontario better understand their health care history, ease their transition from one provider to another, directly connect them to different types of care and provide 24/7 help in navigating the health care system. Ontario Health Teams bring together health care providers from across health and community sectors including primary care, hospitals, home and community care, and mental health and addiction services as one collaborative team to better coordinate care and share resources.

As part of Your Health: A Plan for Connect and Convenient Care, the government is expanding Ontario Health Teams to deliver better care to communities across the province. With these three new teams, Ontario will have a total of 57 Ontario Health Teams and is one step closer to achieving its goal of full provincial coverage, ensuring that every person in Ontario has the support of an Ontario Health Team.

Quick Facts

  • As Ontario Health Teams mature, they will continue to broaden partnerships so they can deliver a full and coordinated continuum of care and meet the unique health needs of the diverse populations they serve.
  • Ontario Health Teams are implementing stronger, more integrated clinical pathways that connect all parts of a patient's care journey to provide better support at home or in the community, starting with patients with chronic illnesses.
  • With an investment of more than $109 million, Ontario Health Teams and other health service providers are also investing in digital and virtual care options so people in Ontario can easily connect with a health care worker from the comfort of their home.
  • Ontario is working with First Nations in the planning, design, delivery and evaluation of programs and services for their communities. The Ministry of Health continues to work with First Nations communities through dedicated trilateral processes and relationship agreements.
  • The Ministry of Health and Ontario Health will continue to engage with providers in West Parry Sound so they can become an Ontario Health Team in the near future, building on their commitment and strong foundation to integrating and improving care for their community.

Quotes

"It has been a pleasure to be part of the approval process for Ontario Health Teams so that more people in Ontario can benefit from integrated care. As we approach full provincial coverage, I am hopeful that the three new Ontario Health Teams in the North will champion change by cultivating a culture of meaningful and genuine partnership with patients, families and caregivers."

- Betty-Lou Kristy
Chair of the Minister's Patient and Family Advisory Council

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