Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team gets closer to fruition
The Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team (KL-OHT) today announced that it has been invited to complete a full Ontario Health Team (OHT) application by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Ontario Health Teams are being introduced to provide a new way of organizing and delivering care that is more connected to patients in their local communities, according to the Ontario Health Team website.
Under Ontario Health Teams, health care providers (including hospitals, doctors and home and community care providers) work as one coordinated team – no matter where they provide care.
The KL-OHT was one of 17 OHTs provincially invited to submit a full application.
“We are excited to take the next step toward full implementation of the Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team, and toward a local healthcare system that puts the patient first through an integrated approach,” said Veronica Nelson, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ross Memorial Hospital.
“Working closely with our partners, we look forward to connecting local care for our community.”
This next step in the OHT application process follows a successful progress report submission on January 20, prepared in consultation with many community and patient/caregiver partners. This progress report demonstrated the progress the Team has made in patient/client partnerships and community engagement, patient care and experience, digital health, governance, and quality improvement.
The full application is due Sept. 18, with results expected back by Oct. 19.
“We welcome the opportunity to move forward in developing the Kawartha Lakes OHT,” said Barb Mildon, CEO of Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes, and co-lead KL-OHT.
“I am confident that the ongoing engagement of the KL-OHT partners and patient/client participants will achieve positive progress in advancing the OHT model.”
Kawartha Lakes OHT launches website
In addition to the invitation to submit a full application, KL-OHT is pleased to announce its official name, logo and website to the public. The website serves as a hub for the public to receive updates on the OHT’s progress, news relating to the health care industry, and to connect with the Kawartha Lakes OHT.
Along with the logo and website, the Kawartha Lakes OHT also unveiled a new tagline – Connecting Local Care. The tagline emphasizes the purpose of the OHT model: to provide a patient-centric healthcare experience that ensures all local services work together to ensure the well-being of all patients, from first point of contact through their entire healthcare journey.
About Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team
The City of Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team consists of 10 local healthcare organizations collaborating to provide quality, patient-centred care across the City of Kawartha Lakes. By putting the patient at the centre of the healthcare system, the organization strives to help them navigate the system in an efficient and cooperative way.
The Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team is comprised of the following community partners:
Lead Members
- Ross Memorial Hospital (co-lead)
- Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes (co-lead)
- City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Organization
- City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team
- The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes
- Kawartha North Family Health Team Partners
- Brock Community Health Centre
- CarePartners
- CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge
- Extendicare Kawartha Lakes and Lakeland Village
