CMHA Ontario is emphasizing the need for stronger partnerships between primary health care, community mental health and addictions providers. This recommendation was made in response to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s proposed strategy, Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care.
CMHA Ontario’s submission provided evidence-based examples of collaborative partnerships, which resulted in Ontarians having equitable access to mental health and addiction services no matter where they live.
The province lacks an effective, coordinated system for home and community care and this creates immense challenges that need urgent attention across Ontario. The proposed strategy aims to specifically target many of these gaps and challenges identified across the health care system.
Overall, CMHA Ontario commends the provincial government on its proposed strategy to strengthen patient-centred health care, and is pleased to note that the government will look to the province’s Mental Health and Addictions Leadership Advisory Council for advice on enhancing access and improving overall performance of mental health and addiction services.
The full submission in response to the proposal is now available online.