The Algoma District will have its own Ontario Health Team.
It is one of five new Ontario Health Teams announced by Deputy Premier and Health Minister Christine Elliot.
She says health teams have demonstrated a remarkable responsiveness to the pandemic by supporting staff in long-term care homes and assessment centers, expanding their virtual care options and finding unique ways to purchase personal protective equipment.
Elliot also announced all 29 teams will receive funding to continue the fight against COVID-19.
The five new Ontario Health Teams are:
Algoma Ontario Health Team in Algoma District;
Niagara Ontario Health Team in Niagara Region;
Ottawa East Ontario Health Team in Eastern Ottawa, Eastern Champlain and a certain portion of Ottawa Centre, offering services in both official languages;
Western Ontario Health Team in London-Middlesex; and
Western York Region Ontario Health Team in Vaughan, Richmond Hill and King City.
Ontario Health Teams bring together health care providers to work as one team to improve patient outcomes. Through an Ontario Health Team, patients will experience easier transitions from one provider to another, including, for example, between hospitals and home care providers, with one patient story, one patient record and one care plan. Patients and families will also have access to 24/7 navigation and care coordination services.
The province is also investing up to $25.25 million to directly support the 29 approved Ontario Health Teams. Of this funding, $9.5 million will be dedicated to virtual care, which will provide more support for vulnerable populations and individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. With the remaining $15.75 million, each Ontario Health Team will receive up to $375,000, to be used for:
Expanding digital care, including training, education and purchasing new tools and technology for virtual visits, booking online appointments and patient portals;
Dedicated human resources to help develop and implement this new model of care, including more collaborative responses to COVID-19; and
Purchasing business information tools to measure the performance and outcomes of the Ontario Health Team model.
“Looking beyond the immediate threat of COVID-19, Ontario Health Teams will continue to meaningfully improve the care patients receive,” adds Elliott. “Our investments will help provide additional resources for teams to develop these new integrated models of care and further expand virtual care options to benefit patients and families, especially during COVID-19.”
Last year, the Ontario government began implementing its plan to build a new, integrated health care system for patients by announcing the first 24 Ontario Health Teams and Ontario Health, a single agency to oversee quality health care delivery, and improve clinical guidance and support for providers. The strong partnerships and integrated care established by Ontario Health Teams and Ontario Health has helped better position the province to respond quickly and effectively to COVID-19. As Ontario Health Teams continue to expand across the province, these partnerships and the lessons learned will also help better prepare the province for a potential second wave of COVID-19 and flu season.