CMHA Ontario participated in a webinar that could mark transformative changes for the Ontario health care system. If passed, the Patients First Act would see an increased role of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in health service planning and delivery, increased access and integration of the primary health care system with other sectors, improved service planning for Indigenous populations and enhanced coordination and access of French language services for Ontarians.
This was the crux of the discussion during the Sept. 7 webinar.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has been working on preliminary implementation plans and has created 15 work streams that will guide the implementation process of the Patient First Act such as patient and family engagement, home and community care, and data and performance measurement.
Mental health and addictions services were noted in the webinar as a key navigation and access challenge for system user that needs to be addressed through the implementation of the Patients First Act. The presenters indicated the importance of establishing a core basket of mental health and addictions services that can be available throughout the province and improving the integration of mental health and addictions services with the primary health care sector. The Mental Health and Addictions Leadership Advisory Council was noted as a key partner in addressing these issues.
In February, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released a discussion paper outlining the proposed changes to the provincial health care system. CMHA Ontario provided a comprehensive written response to this discussion paper which helped shape the Patients First Act. Click here to read the CMHA Ontario response to Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient Centered Care in Ontario.