A newly formed team of health care providers in Chatham-Kent has been selected to be at the forefront of Ontario’s health system transformation as the province forms its Ontario Health Team (OHT).
As part of significant changes to the Ontario health care system, the new People’s Health Care Act was passed provincially which prompted health organizations to submit proposals illustrating how they can provide services under the structure of a local OHT. When fully functional, the OHT will help to transform the provincial health care landscape, and will include primary care, hospital care, rehabilitative care, home and community care, long-term care, as well as mental health and addictions.
On Friday it was announced that the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) had been chosen as one of 31 applicant groups that will begin the creation of an OHT in their areas.
"All of our partners are thrilled to be among the first group of applicants who will proceed to the next phase in forming an Ontario Health Team," said Lori Marshall, president and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. "In Chatham-Kent, we have an already established track record of collaboration, innovation and integration between local providers that's focused on delivering patient-centred care and seamless transitions between providers."
On April 27, CK health providers, including patient advisors, board members, physicians and administrators, came together to establish CKOHT's vision of "achieving the best health and wellbeing together." The new group then submitted a self-assessment evaluation to the Ministry of Health as part of the first call for applications from across the province to determine readiness to form an OHT.
The chosen 31 applicants, including CKOHT, will now move to the full application process and will include a proposal that is expected to detail how organizations will work together differently in the future to benefit patients and clients. The application must be submitted to the ministry by October 9.