HUNTSVILLE, ON – The CEO of Muskoka Algonquin Health Care, Natalie Bubela is pleased with the initial acceptance of Muskoka and area being accepted as a potential Ontario Health Team.
The teams will be replacing or restructuring existing Local Health Integration Networks as a new way of organizing and delivering health care services in local communities.
As Bubela writes in her regular blog-post on the MAHC website, it is an idea that could revolutionize how people in Ontario receive their health care.
“The concept is that under Ontario Health Teams, the health care providers you see (including hospitals, doctors and home care providers) will work as one coordinated team – no matter where they provide your care,” writes Bubela. “It is part of the provincial government’s plan to improve health care in Ontario by building a more connected system that improves the patient and caregiver experience and strengthens local services.”
She points out that Muskoka is one of just 31 groups that have cleared the first regulatory hurdles.
“Muskoka and area is one of just 31 groups selected by the provincial government to move forward to the next stage of application, and this is all thanks to the hard work of the Muskoka and Area OHT partners,” she explained.
All the stakeholders in the Muskoka application will be creating a unified document outlining how the various parts will work together to create a more streamlined patient experience.
“Our OHT will enhance coordination of care and improve transitions of care, and effectively engage primary care providers and leaders, as well as Indigenous partners by further illustrating solid relationships across the continuum of care,” Bubela offered.
The ability to participate is still open to various aspects of the health care community in the District. Interested parties should send an expression of interest to Janine van den Heuvel, Executive Director of the Algonquin Family Health Team at [email protected].
Bubela concluded the post by stating, “I hope that with continued hard work and the support of all our partners, later this fall Muskoka and area can be among those named by the province as the first Ontario Heath Teams.”
