Lindsay, Ont. (July 25, 2019) — A submission to form a City of Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team (OHT) to better coordinate care and services in the City of Kawartha Lakes has progressed to the status of ‘In Development’ as announced by the Ministry of Health on July 18th.

It is the provincial government’s intention to better connect the health care system through the phased implementation of 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. The designation of ‘In Development’ means that the Ministry will provide additional resources as the partners further develop their submission.

Co-led by Ross Memorial Hospital and Community Care Health and Care Network (formerly Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes), the collaborating partners for the City of Kawartha Lakes OHT include:

• Client/Indigenous Representatives
• Community Care Health and Care Network
• Ross Memorial Hospital
• Kawartha North Family Health Team
• Extendicare Kawartha Lakes and Lakeland Village
• Brock Community Health Centre
• Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge
• CarePartners

The initial focus of the OHT is enhancement of coordinated care and services to frail seniors over 65 years who live alone or have a poor support network, 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 will expand.

“We’re excited to see our plan for a local Ontario Health Team progress to the next stage of readiness,” said Veronica Nelson, Ross Memorial Hospital’s Interim President and CEO. “Our partners are committed to strengthening our local system to ensure the most vulnerable residents in our community receive the best health care and services available.”

Barb Mildon, CEO of Community Care Health and Care Network noted “Community Care looks forward to our collaborative efforts to advance development of an OHT for the City of Kawartha Lakes while continuing to keep our many community-based programs and services strong and accessible.”

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