Oxford and Area Ontario Health Team Has Been Approved

Friday, 20 November 2020 at 11:32

The Oxford and Area Ontario Health Team has been named one of the cohorts from the Ministry of Health and can start working on year one initiatives right away.

OXFORD COUNTY - Earlier this week the Province announced it was establishing Ontario Health Teams across the Province.

Locally the Oxford and Area Ontario Health Team has been named one of the cohorts from the Ministry of Health. This means the Oxford and Area OHT can start working on year one initiatives.

Dr. Ian Hons says the Oxford and Area OHT brings together over 30 health care organizations across all sectors of care to collaborate as one team.

"The development of the Oxford and Area OHT has led to unprecedented collaboration between doctors, nurses, hospitals and community health care providers, I am excited to be participating in this process,
which I believe will improve the delivery of health care in our region."

Patients in the Oxford region will continue to access their care providers, the same way they always have. What will be different though, is that over time, care providers are working together to provide them with more coordinated care. Patient and Family Advisor Heather Wilson-Boast says this is exciting news.

"I am so excited that the Oxford and Area OHT has been approved. We can expect a more direct, collaborative and coordinated approach for patients and families when navigating a full continuum of care."

Eventually patients will have a single number to call with questions or concerns 24/7. They will be able to access health information and healthcare providers will work together as a team. This will allow a patient's story, chart and care plan to follow them through each hospital or doctor visit.

The Oxford and Area OHT will be focusing on three priority populations in the first year of development. They are people with multiple chronic conditions, people with palliative care needs and people experiencing challenges related to mental health and addictions.