As the Ontario government moves toward restructuring the provincial health care system, it has released more information on how service providers can become part of proposed Ontario Health Teams.
In an announcement last week, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care outlined the types of organizations eligible to form Ontario Health Teams, set key dates for the application and selection process, and provided additional resources to support interested organizations.
Health care system transformation was proposed by the government in February with the introduction of Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, which the government says aims to take a client-centred approach to service delivery, strengthen local services and make it easier to navigate the system.
One of the main components to potential system change is the formation of Ontario Health Teams, which would be comprised of established community agencies joining together to offer integrated services for their local area.
Under the current proposal, each Ontario Health Team must include at least three of the following: hospital services, primary care services, mental health or addictions services, home care or community services, long-term care home services, palliative care service, or any other prescribed health care service or non-health service that supports the provision of health care services.
Learn more about becoming an Ontario Health Team.