New Peterborough Ontario Health Team to Provide Better Connected Care for Patients

On December 9th, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, was in Peterborough to announce the Peterborough Ontario Health Team as one of the first 24 teams in the province.

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge is excited to be part of the Peterborough Ontario Health Team, and to be one of the first teams to implement a new model of organizing and delivering health care that better connects patients and providers in their communities.  Through the Ontario Health Team model, patients will experience easier transitions from one provider to another, with one patient record and one care plan.

“This is an exciting time for health care in Ontario as we finally break down the long-standing barriers that have prevented care providers from working directly with each other to support patients throughout their health care journey,” said Elliott. “Together with our health care partners, the Peterborough Ontario Health Team will play an essential role in delivering on our commitment to end hallway health care and building a connected and sustainable public health care system centred around the needs of patients.”

The Peterborough Ontario Health Team will bring together 22 partner organizations in its first year to find the right health care solutions for patients. By improving the transitions, patients will benefit from better patient and caregiver experience and better health outcomes.

“With our new Peterborough Ontario Health Team, patients will benefit from better integrated health care, with a seamless experience when moving between different health care services, providers and settings,” said Elliott. “I would like to thank all the health care providers and organizations that helped plan the Peterborough Ontario Health Team; there is lots of work to be done, but with their dedication and hard work, we will continue to improve health care in our communities and ensure Ontarians get the care they deserve.”

As the Peterborough Health Team continues to work towards integrated care, a focused group of patients will receive services through their integrated primary care teams and the broader Ontario Health Team partners. This work will be implemented in phases and over time will provide care for everyone within the Peterborough Ontario Health Team’s population.

The Peterborough Ontario Health Team will begin implementing some proposed programs and services in 2020 and will communicate with patients and families about the changes and improvements that they can expect.