PARRY SOUND, ON – The reorganization of the West Parry Sound Health Care system has passed its first regulatory hurdle.
The province is recognizing that West Parry Sound’s Ontario Health Team application is now “in development”.
It is one of three categories being provided by the health ministry for organizations revamping and rebuilding local health care systems.
It was announced this week by Minister of Health Christine Elliott that 31 of the OHT application groups province-wide have been invited to submit a full application, 43 partnerships are in development, and the remaining group among 157 applications are deemed to be ‘in discovery.’
It is a positive sign as West Parry Sound proceeds to revamp its integrated health and social service system, with the Ministry of Health noting in a statement “that community partners have demonstrated a strong history of trusting relationships.”
The community’s Ontario Health Team application was submitted in May and the group has been waiting for this information before taking its next steps.
The eventual goal is for OHT’s to “provide a full and coordinated continuum of care for a defined population within a geographic region, offer patients 24/7 access to coordination of care and system navigation services, and work to ensure patients experience seamless transitions throughout their care journey.”
The West Parry Sound partnership includes organizations from primary care, long term care, home and community care, child and family mental health, along with the medical staff and services linked to West Parry Sound Health Centre.