Carefor joins newly formed Ontario Health Teams to create better care for clients
Prior to the pandemic, the Provincial Government communicated a goal to build a more connected health care system centred around patients, families, and caregivers. This goal is workable through the implementation of Ontario Health Teams (OHTs). OHTs will make it easier for patients to navigate the system and transition between providers. Whereas historically an individual’s care was facilitated by the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), by removing the LHIN and making OHT partners work together, people will experience a more patient centred experience with less bureaucracy.
Ontario Health Teams are determined by geography and are made up of various types of healthcare providers (hospitals, primary care clinics, home and community care organizations, acute care, mental health services, midwifery services, palliative care etc). These various geographically grouped healthcare providers and organizations are meant to work as one coordinated team to improve the overall quality of the healthcare experience for their clients. These healthcare providers are seen as partners to their respective OHT(s).
As a respected home and community care not for profit, Carefor was invited to join the OHTs operating in the regions we serve. Currently Carefor is a signatory and lead partner on five OHTs in Eastern Ontario:
- The Great River Ontario Health Team
- The Archipel Ontario Health Team
- The Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team
- The Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team
- The Ottawa Ontario Health Team
Geography is not the only tie between Carefor and OHTs; Carefor is committed to providing a wide range of programs and services to their clients, making their health care experience as seamless as possible. This aligns with the mission behind the creation of the OHTs. The goal is to improve the patient’s healthcare experience, starting with the unity of healthcare providers as OHTs and continuing with the dedicated care provided by participating providers.