Health system stakeholders partner on a readiness assessment to form an Ontario Health Team for Northumberland

Northumberland County, ON–May 14, 2019–Building on a strong history of collaboration to deliver coordinated care for the community, health system stakeholders in Northumberland are partnering on an application to form an Ontario Health Team (OHT).

The provincial government has introduced OHTs as a new model of health care delivery, intended to improve the coordination of care and services. The government’s vision is to better connect the health system by bringing together patients/residents, families, communities, providers and system leaders as one team, to deliver a coordinated continuum of care to people in a defined geographic area. The members of this team, even if in different organizations or physical locations, will work together toward common goals for strengthening local services.

In response to the government’s April 2019 call for applications to form an OHT, local health system stakeholders have established an Ontario Health Team of Northumberland Collaborative Planning Committee to submit the required self-assessment by May 15th. This Planning Committee currently includes:

• Local patients/caregivers
• Local primary care physicians
• Alderville First Nation
• Campbellford Memorial Hospital
• Community Care Northumberland
• Community Health Centres of Northumberland
• Northumberland County
• Northumberland Family Health Team
• Northumberland Hills Hospital
• The Bridge Hospice
• Trent Hills Family Health Team

Based on a review of all submissions, the Ministry of Health will be inviting those that demonstrate a high level of readiness to move forward with a more detailed application, due by mid-July. Should the initial application to form an OHT for Northumberland be successful, the Planning Committee will engage the broader local health and social care community, and the people served, to carry the process forward together.

This local OHT would build on existing partnerships and patient/caregiver perspectives to further improve health outcomes, patient and provider experience, and value for Northumberland residents. Based on current understanding of health care needs within the community, the target population served would initially include rural residents who face barriers to accessing health care, including those experiencing isolation, homelessness, addiction, and mental health concerns, as well as those with palliative needs and limited mobility. The population served, as well as the scope of services provided, would expand over time.

The first OHTs are expected to be announced in the fall of 2019, with the province continuing to accept applications and evaluate interested groups over time. It is expected that all communities will ultimately adopt the Ontario Health Team model.

Background information about OHTs is available from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Quotes

"I would like to congratulate the Northumberland Collaborative Planning Committee Members on their hard work to-date towards the goal of establishing an Ontario Health Team. This Ontario Health Team model will build upon the already strong existing collaborative partnerships in Northumberland. The residents of our riding deserve a connected health care system that puts their needs first and they also deserve a health care system that is sustainable and accessible for all." David Piccini, Member of Provincial Parliament, Northumberland-Peterborough South

“I have been a moderate-to-heavy user of the healthcare system in Ontario since I was a boy in the 1950’s in Toronto. Where in the first half of my life I experienced healthcare in a large urban setting, the latter half has been in the small-town rural setting of Northumberland County. While in Northumberland, I have experienced how collaborative and effective local care providers have been in responding to the community’s complexities and uniqueness. I am honoured to be part of developing this submission.” Scott Macpherson, Patient Representative

“Strengthening the patient and caregiver voice and choice with the treatment team is critical for meaningful innovative, integrated system redesign. By increasing the overall involvement of patients and caregivers, care planning can be specific to the strengths, preferences, and cultures of individuals. I am pleased to be actively contributing to this submission.” Kaye Jackson, Caregiver Representative

“As primary care providers, we see a significant opportunity within our health care system to better coordinate care through an Ontario Health Team, delivering added value to patients by improving access and facilitating transitions throughout the entire health care journey.” Dr. Fraser Cameron, Primary Care Physician, Ganaraska Family Health Organization and Dr. Erin Pepper, Primary Care Physician, Northumberland Family Health Team.

“As a First Nation community, addressing the local health needs and accessing health services are key. Through meaningful, positive partnerships and collaboration through the OHT we will be able to achieve more and better health outcomes for our members.” Malcolm Ponnayan, Director of Health & Social Services, Alderville First Nation

“Through this collaborative effort, health system stakeholders continue to demonstrate a shared commitment to prioritizing patient needs in order to cultivate a healthy Northumberland. Campbellford Memorial Hospital welcomes the ongoing dialogue about opportunities to further coordinate services with partners in rural areas of Northumberland – as well as our referral partners outside of the community – in support of the government’s vision for a better connected, people-centered health care system.” Varouj Eskedjian, President & CEO, Campbellford Memorial Hospital

“Partnerships and exploring new models for collaboration are cornerstones of Community Care Northumberland’s approach to delivering client-centered care. CCN welcomes the opportunity to work with local agencies to identify innovative ways of improving client transitions across the health care environment. We are pleased to be supporting this submission.” Trish Baird, Executive Director, Community Care Northumberland

“The Community Health Centres of Northumberland are focused on building trusting relationships with patients in order to deliver improved care. The possibility of forming a local Ontario Health Team represents an opportunity for Northumberland stakeholders to further strengthen our common understanding of the community’s health care needs, reducing barriers and improving health outcomes for local residents.” Duff Sprague, Executive Director, Community Health Centres of Northumberland

“As a provider of long-term care, paramedic and social services, Northumberland County welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with community partners on the formation of a local Ontario Health Team, as an extension of our commitment to the delivery of industry-leading, quality care and value for Northumberland residents.” Jennifer Moore, CAO, Northumberland County

“This submission to form a local Ontario Health Team is well-aligned with the Northumberland Family Health Team mandate to improve the health status of the population by delivering seamless and sustainable access to care in our community. We look forward to next steps.” Laurel Savoy, Executive Director, Northumberland Family Health Team

“For Northumberland Hills Hospital, collaborative community partnerships have proven to be key enablers behind our ability to deliver high quality care close to home. As the process to form a local Ontario Health Team evolves, we look forward to building upon these partnerships to create a more cohesive model for a team that is better organized around local patients' needs.” Linda Davis, President & CEO, Northumberland Hills Hospital

“Local health care constituents are in the best position to identify and respond to local health care needs. The Bridge Hospice appreciates the opportunity to contribute to plans for a local Ontario Health Team, to support the ongoing delivery of exceptional service and support for Northumberland residents across the full continuum of care - from pre-natal and birth through to end-of-life.” Kerri-Anne Wilson, Director of Clinical Services & Operations, The Bridge Hospice

“As an integrated team of professionals providing comprehensive health care to the community, the Trent Hills Family Health Team recognizes the potential of engaging with community partners through a local Ontario Health Team to intensify policies and practices that will foster a vibrant and healthy rural community.” Delayne Donald, Executive Director, Trent Hills Family Health Team