The CEO of the Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance does not share the concerns that have been expressed by other people about Bill 210.
Andrew Williams explains the bill would consolidate Community Care Access Centres into the Local Health Integration Networks and also provides the LHINs with more accountability for primary care and service integration.
Williams says some members of the hospital association have expressed concerns about the language of the proposed legislation and that it could give the LHIN more authority in issuing directives to organizations.
Williams counters that the Alliance is very supportive of local governance and they will work within the Act to make sure that remains a number one priority. He adds it does change the accountability relationship and puts greater onus on the entire system to work in a coordinated and integrated fashion.
Williams also says he doubts the change will have a significant impact on the operations of hospitals and the accountability agreements and performance targets will remain as they are.
Williams adds combining the Community Care Access Centres and the Local Health Integration Networks will means significant changes in the home care and community sector and they'll work closely with the new organizations to make sure that care continues to be provided as it has been in the past.