by Sue Tiffin
Published Aug. 6 2019
The proposed Haliburton Highlands Ontario Health Team has made it through the first round of self-assessments according to an announcement on July 18 by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The HHOHT which brings together local health services organizations representing a full spectrum of health services responded to the ministry’s call for the establishment of Ontario Health Teams in May this year.
According to a July 29 press release from HHHS in collaboration with HHOHT partners of 157 OHT self-assessments received 31 teams have been asked to complete a full application and 43 teams including the HHOHT have been placed in the “in-development” category.
“According to the MOHLTC criteria these are teams that are close to being ready to submit a full application and have demonstrated a high degree of readiness” reads the press release. “These applications will receive active and targeted support from the MOHLTC to get them ready for full application later this year. HHOHT’s application demonstrated a high degree of commitment to a shared vision of patient and community engagement governance and accountability and the partners will continue to build on these strengths as they move forward in the application process.”
Earlier this year the ministry announced changes it was making to the Ontario health system including one integrated team of health-care providers working together for client needs; a medical record that both the client and health-care providers can access; and 24/7 help in navigating the public health system.
“Ontario Health Teams are being introduced to provide a new way of organizing and delivering services in local communities” reads the ministry’s website. “Under Ontario Health Teams the health care providers you see (including hospitals doctors and home care providers) will work as one coordinated team – no matter where they provide care.”
HHOHT partners include Haliburton Highlands Health Services; Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team; Point in Time Centre for Children Youth and Parents; Kawartha North Family Health Team; Midwifery Services of Haliburton-Bancroft; Extendicare; ParaMed and CarePartners.
“HHHS is delighted with the positive feedback and is excited to move to the next step of making a seamless health care experience in the Highlands a reality” said Carolyn Plummer president and CEO at HHHS in the press release.
The press release states that the “HHOHT partnership would also be supported by affiliate organizations who have indicated they expect to collaborate with the HHOHT as it develops; these include the Haliburton Family Health Organization and the Haliburton County Paramedic Service. Other supporters of the HHOHT proposal include the Haliburton-Kawartha-Pine Ridge Public Health Unit and Central East Seniors Care Network as well as the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital.”
