In response to the open call by the Ontario Government for readiness self-assessments for Ontario Health Teams (OHT), a team of more than 20 health and community care partners in Oxford have taken the first step toward designation as an OHT by submitting the required Self-Assessment document. By leveraging existing relationships, this team is dedicated to the modernization of healthcare for the residents of Oxford County. “We are confident in our ability to deliver on the vision of Ontario Health,” said Randy Peltz, Executive Director of the Oxford County Community Health Centre.
On February 26, 2019, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced changes to the Ontario health care system with the creation of Ontario Health and the concept of Ontario Health Teams. The goal of the Ontario Health Team model is to alleviate constraints and allow providers to deliver better, timely, more coordinated and patient-centred care.
Sandy Jansen, President and CEO of Alexandra Hospital Ingersoll and Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital said “This is a very exciting time in healthcare. Patients and families struggle to navigate our system and they wait too long for services. We envision that through the development of the Oxford OHT, we will support patients, families, caregivers, and health care providers to actively shape how local health care services as well as home and community care are delivered and managed across Oxford.” Perry Lang, President and CEO of Woodstock Hospital said, “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with these health care providers and community organizations to complete the self-assessment. The team is committed to delivering innovative high quality care to patients in the Oxford region. We look forward to building on our existing partnerships to provide seamless and coordinated care for our residents.”
Partnering organizations to date in the proposed Oxford Ontario Health Team include:
Primary Care: Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic; Thames Valley Family Heath Team; Family Health Organization; Oxford County Community Health Centre
Acute Care: Alexandra Hospital Ingersoll; Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital; Woodstock General Hospital
Home and Community Care: Oxford Palliative Care Outreach Team; South West LHIN Home and Community Care; VON Community Support Services; Sakura House Residential Hospice and Alzheimer Society of Oxford
Long Term Care: PeopleCare Communities; Woodingford Lodge
Mental Health and Addictions: Canadian Mental Health Association Oxford; Wellkin Child and Youth Mental Wellness; Addiction Services Thames Valley
Public Health: Southwestern Public Health
Housing and Social Services: Oxford County Human Services
eHealth: South West eHealth Lead
Paramedic Services: Oxford County Paramedic Services
Coordinated Care Planning: Oxford Health Link
If selected to proceed to complete a full application, the Oxford team will expand to include many other health and social service providers who wish to participate.