Local health care organizations discuss formation of Ontario Health Team

May 7, 2019

Share this article

Lindsay, Ont. (May 7, 2019)  — Several healthcare organizations in the City of Kawartha Lakes are discussing the formation of a local Ontario Health Team (OHT) to better coordinate care and services for local residents.


On February 26, the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care announced its intention to better connect the health care system by implementing Ontario Health Teams. Ontario Health Teams are groups of providers and organizations that are clinically and fiscally accountable for delivering a full and coordinated continuum of care to a defined geographic population. Our geographic population lives within the City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL).


At present, the organizations that are preparing a joint self-assessment to potentially form a local OHT include Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes, Kawartha North Family Health Team, Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge, Extendicare Kawartha Lakes and Lakeland Village, and Ross Memorial Hospital.


These organizations have long partnered to serve their shared communities. They currently run joint programs and services under various formal agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. If approved, the formation of this OHT would build on these existing partnerships to provide seamless and coordinated care for our CKL residents.


If the group’s self-assessment is approved, the OHT will focus initially on enhancing coordinated care and services to a target population that includes seniors over 65 years who live alone or have a poor support network; who are frail, with complex medical needs or mental health or addictions issues who find it hard to navigate the healthcare system; and who have been hospitalized within the last year. As the work of the OHT evolves, the scope of care and services as well as the patient/client/resident focus would expand.


The self-assessment to form the local OHT will be submitted by the provincial deadline of May 15. The Ministry of Health & Long Term Care will be inviting those that are ready to submit a detailed application. The first phase of OHT implementation is planned for this fall.


Feedback will be welcome throughout this process. Please watch for opportunities to provide feedback, share suggestions, and identify current gaps in services.

More Updates

April 2, 2026
Join the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team for a Lunch & Learn!
Virtual Lunch & Learn flyer by Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team about eReferrals on Feb 11, 2026, at 12:15 PM.
April 2, 2026
Join the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team for a Lunch & Learn!
Virtual Lunch & Learn on Ontario Structured Psychotherapy, Dec 5, 2025, 12:15-1 PM. Register at klhoht.ca/lunch-and-learn-7.
November 25, 2025
Join us to learn about the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP), a program which provides free cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults experiencing depression or anxiety, available virtually, by phone, or in person.
Person in white sweater types on laptop while sitting on bed.
November 4, 2025
Join us to learn about the East Region Virtual Care Clinic—an innovative model providing timely, team-based virtual care to patients across the region.
Young person cutting vegetables; older person reaches into a black crate in a kitchen.
October 21, 2025
The Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team (KLH-OHT) is pleased to share an update on our ongoing efforts on behalf of our partners to strengthen access to primary care across our region. Working in partnership with local Family Health Teams, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, Community Health Centres, and independent physician practices, we continue to make progress in connecting unattached residents with a primary care provider. As part of this system-wide effort, we are currently working through the Health Care Connect (HCC) waitlist to match patients with new or expanding primary care teams. If you do not have a primary care provider, registering with Health Care Connect is the most important step you can take. You can register online at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or by calling 1-800-445-1822 . Importantly, you no longer need to “de-roster” from your existing provider (for example, if you are still rostered to a doctor or nurse practitioner in another community far away). Registering with HCC will not affect your current care but will help us identify who in our local communities is actively seeking a new provider closer to home. This updated process helps ensure that all residents who want to access care locally are counted and prioritized appropriately. To date, we are pleased to report that: 700 new patients are being attached at the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Organization (approximately 250 to date), 100+ new patients are being attached to Nurse Practitioners and/or Family Physicians practices in Bobcaygeon, Woodville and Lindsay Various primary care providers across the KLH-OHT geography continue to expand capacity to welcome more patients as we build capacity across the system. These efforts represent important progress toward building a stronger, more equitable primary care foundation—one that ensures every resident has access to comprehensive, team-based care close to home. We thank all residents for their patience as we continue this important work and encourage everyone seeking a local provider to register with Health Care Connect today. “So much of health begins with primary care,” says Stephanie MacLaren, Executive Director of the KLH-OHT . “Working through this monumental task takes deep partnership and commitment. Our shared goal is to strengthen access—because primary care is not only the front door to the health system, it’s a cornerstone of healthy communities. We are grateful for the Ontario government’s investment in primary care and the work of the Primary Care Action Team.” For more information, visit www.klhoht.ca or follow our updates on social media.
October 21, 2025
The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.
Bridge over calm water at sunset, road leads to horizon, orange and yellow sky, trees and buildings along the shores.
October 3, 2025
Impact Report 2024/25
Newsletter graphic: Flying email envelopes, blue background, abstract teal tree.
July 10, 2024
Welcome to our 8th edition of the newsletter for the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team. Read on to learn more about some of our key initiatives that support our mission of connecting local care in Kawartha Lakes!
Person in white sweater types on laptop while sitting on bed with pillows.
March 12, 2024
In this session you will learn about what an OHT is, who our member organizations are, and the ways we are working together to improve health outcomes for residents of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County.
Person typing on a laptop while sitting on a bed, wearing a white sweater and black pants.
January 31, 2024
In this session, you will learn about the Community Paramedic Programs (CPP) in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County.
Show More