The province is introducing Ontario Health Teams, a new model of care that brings together health care providers to work as one team.
The government announced the first cohort of 24 Ontario Health Teams being established across the province. These 24 teams will implement a new model of organizing and delivering health care that better connects patients and providers in their communities to improve patient outcomes.
Through an Ontario Health Team, patients will experience easier transitions from one provider to another, including, for example, between hospitals and home care providers, with one patient story, one patient record and one care plan.
“Over the last two weeks, my caucus colleagues and I travelled across the province to announce the first 24 Ontario Health Teams,” said Elliott.
“At every stop, we witnessed enthusiasm and excitement from our health care partners, all of whom are ready to implement a new model of care that will help break down the long-standing barriers that have prevented them from working together to support patients throughout their health care journey. Ontario Health Teams will play an essential role in delivering on our commitment to end hallway health care and building a connected and sustainable public health care system centred around the needs of patients.”
As these teams continue their work to integrate care, they will put in place 24/7 navigation and care coordination services for patients and families. This work will be implemented in phases and over time will provide care for everyone within the Ontario Health Team’s population.
Ontario Health Teams will communicate with patients and families about the changes and improvements they can expect in their community.
“With our new Ontario Health Teams, patients will benefit from better integrated health care, with a seamless experience when moving between different health care services, providers and settings,” said Elliott.
“I would like to thank all the health care providers and organizations that helped plan all these Ontario Health Teams. There is still a lot of work to be done, but with their dedication and hard work we will continue to improve health care in our communities and ensure Ontarians get the care they deserve.”
Ontario Health Teams will create a local health care system that provides coordinated care for patients, reduces wait times and leads to better health outcomes for patients. The first 24 teams are:
All Nations Health Partners Ontario Health Team
Brampton/Etobicoke and Area Ontario Health Team
Burlington Ontario Health Team
Cambridge North Dumfries Ontario Health Team
Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team
Connected Care Halton Ontario Health Team
Couchiching Ontario Health Team
Durham Ontario Health Team
East Toronto Ontario Health Team (East Toronto Health Partners)
Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team
Guelph and Area Ontario Health Team
Hamilton Ontario Health Team (Hamilton Health Team)
Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team
Huron Perth and Area Ontario Health Team
Mississauga Ontario Health Team (Mississauga Health)
Muskoka and Area Ontario Health Team
Near North Health and Wellness Ontario Health Team
North Toronto Ontario Health Team
North Western Toronto Ontario Health Team
North York Ontario Health Team (North York Toronto Health Partners)
Northumberland Ontario Health Team (Ontario Health Team – Northumberland)
Ottawa Ontario Health Team (Ottawa Health Team/Équipe Santé Ottawa)
Peterborough Ontario Health Team
Southlake Community Ontario Health Team2.
QUICK FACTS
An Ontario Health Team will be responsible for delivering care for their patients, understanding their health care history, directly connecting them to the different types of care they need, and providing 24/7 help in navigating the health care system.
Ontarians can be confident that they can continue to contact their health care providers as they always have to access the health care they need.
The first wave of Ontario Health Teams is being approved after an extensive readiness assessment process, which involved significant time, collaboration, research and effort from partners across the health care sector.
The government will continue working with its partners to review their applications to become an Ontario Health Team. 3.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
