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.

Impact Report 2024/25

Goals for this training are to discuss the importance of the active offer of French language health services with individuals who work or study in health care or other related field. Promote the important role individuals can play in ensuring ongoing improvement of the active offer of French language health services and promote safe and quality person-centered care. This training was developed by the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario (Réseau). Available in English and French. Promoted by the Winning Strategies.

This free online course is provided by Ontario Health (West) and is designed to support learners in: Gaining knowledge about cultural and linguistic sensitive care focusing on personal perspectives and inclusive health practices to further inform health equity and quality patient-centered care, Learning about Francophones in Ontario: who they are, where they come from, how they obtain official-language rights as an official language minority population, and understanding barriers that affect them today in relation to health services, Understanding the active offer of French Language Services, what it is and how to implement it through a cultural and linguistic sensitive approach.

AODA training gives employees/volunteers the basic knowledge about accessibility, and how it influences people with disabilities. We often think of disabilities as either physical or visible. However, AODA includes all disabilities: physical, visible, and non-visible disabilities, such as learning and mental health disabilities. Employees who take AODA-specific training on customer service learn how to provide excellent customer service to people of all abilities. For example, when interacting with an individual with vision impairment always identify yourself when you approach them. Also speak directly to them, not their service animal or guide. If you need to leave, let the person know. Whereas, if an individual has a mobility disability, you don’t necessarily have to identify yourself, but you should never touch their equipment without permission

This online course is a collaboration of the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (NCCDH) and Public Health Ontario (PHO). It was created in response to the identified need for an accessible introductory course on health equity for public health audiences in Canada.

Offered by Healthcare Excellence Canada: This virtual learning opportunity aims to build the capacity to be equitable and inclusive in our work as we engage with diverse people with lived experiences.

The curriculum and learning activities have been designed to help participants: Strengthen their knowledge, awareness, and skills for working with and providing service to Indigenous people and communities, Work more safely and effectively with Indigenous people, Begin considering their role in correcting, rebuilding and transforming systems to uproot Indigenous-specific racism.

Launched on January 31, 2025. This course is delivered by the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) and aims to address the need for culturally safe practices in mental health services, equipping participants with knowledge and skill to provide effective care for indigenous communities. The course is intended for healthcare providers, policy makers, and others working in the mental health sector. This includes individuals and organizations.