Health Services Providers Join Together to Propose a Haliburton Highlands Ontario Health Team

For immediate release: May 21, 2019

For more information please contact:

Carolyn Plummer

President and CEO

Haliburton Highlands Health Services

Phone: 705-457-2527

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Health Services Providers Join Together to Propose a Haliburton Highlands Ontario Health Team

Local health services organizations in the Haliburton Highlands area have partnered together, along with various other stakeholders, to complete and submit a self-assessment proposing a Haliburton Highlands Ontario Health Team (HHOHT).

In February 2019, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced its plan for health system transformation to improve patient experience and strengthen local services for patients and families. A key element of this transformation focuses on establishing Ontario Health Teams (OHTs), as a new way of organizing and delivering services for patients, by empowering local health service providers to work as a connected team. OHTs will be responsible for delivering all of the care for their patients, based on an understanding their health care history and needs, directly connecting them with the different types of care they need and helping them to navigate the health system. For more information about how the MOHLTC is transforming the health system, visit:

The proposed HHOHT would bring together as partners, various local health services providers who already have extensive experience working together to provide comprehensive and integrated health care, and developing innovative solutions to improve access to care for the Haliburton Highlands population. Building on previous collaborations such as the Rural Health Hub and Youth Wellness Hub, the HHOHT partners represent the full spectrum of health services, including hospital, primary care, home care, community services, mental health, long-term care, and midwifery services.

HHOHT Partners include:

• Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS)
• Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team (HHFHT)
• Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents (PINT)
• Kawartha North Family Health Team (KNFHT)
• Midwifery Services of Haliburton-Bancroft (MSHB)
• Extendicare
• ParaMed
• CarePartners

The HHOHT partnership would also be supported by affiliate organizations, who have indicated they expect to collaborate with the HHOHT as it develops; these include the Haliburton Family Health Organization and the Haliburton County Paramedic Service. Other supporters of the HHOHT proposal include the Haliburton-Kawartha-Pine Ridge Public Health Unit and Central East Seniors Care Network as well as the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital.

HHOHT Partner Quotes:

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS)

“HHHS is delighted to work in partnership with the other HHOHT organizations and with patients and caregivers in the community to promote a more seamless health service experience in the Highlands,” said Carolyn Plummer, President and CEO at HHHS. “We are excited to continue building on the success of the strong partnerships that already exist, and to identify new opportunities to proactively improve health outcomes for our patients and overall wellness for our community.”

Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team (HHFHT):

Kim Robinson, Executive Director of the HHFHT, stated “The Haliburton Highlands FHT is excited to be partnering on this initiative and building on our existing relationships. Our desire is to strengthen healthcare delivery and services, to improve patient accessibility and outcomes, and to have a healthier and happier community!”

Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents (PINT):

“Point in Time for Children, Youth and Parents is excited about partnering with other Haliburton County health services providers to collectively provide better health care for Haliburton County residents. We embrace the opportunity for more patient and family voices driving change, combined with the ability to build on recent experiences of the youth wellness hub/integrated youth service site, to provide integrated and wrap around care, tailored to Haliburton County residents,” said Marg Cox, Executive Director of Point in Time. “We look forward to going to the next phase, should we be ratified, to work with County residents, and their families to eliminate funding siloed barriers and create a made in Haliburton approach to accessible and high-quality health service.”

Kawartha North Family Health Team (KNFHT):

“The board of Kawartha North Family Health Team and Executive Director Marina Hodson are thrilled to be a part of the application for the HHOHT.”

Midwifery Services of Haliburton-Bancroft (MSHB):

“The midwives of MSHB are delighted to partner with our colleagues to form a Haliburton Highlands Ontario Health Team,” said Rebecca Weeks, MSHB Midwife. “As members of this community, each of us truly understands the unique challenges of our area and this alliance can only mean better, faster, coordinated, and exceptional care to all our community members.”

Extendicare and ParaMed:

“ The Ontario Health Team gives healthcare providers an opportunity to work more closely together to create a seamless care experience for patients, residents and clients”, said Dr. Michael Guerriere, President & CEO of Extendicare. “We look forward to working closely with the HHOHT members to bring a new level of integrated care for seniors in the area.”

CarePartners:

Craig McCleary, Director of Operations – Central East Nursing and Personal Support Services at CarePartners, stated “As a home care provider in this region for over 30 years, CarePartners is excited to be part of the HHOHT. We are looking forward to working more closely with HHOHT partners to promote positive change for patients who require home care services.”