Oxford County Has Discussions With Ministry Of Health At ROMA

Saturday, 25 January 2020 07:21

Oxford County had discussions with the Ministry of Health on the consultation process for the development of the Ontario Health Team and more.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford County was involved in several delegations at the 2020 Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

The County was a part of seven delegations with different ministries, including the Ministry of Health.

Warden Larry Martin says they want to participate in the consultation process for the development of the Ontario Health Team.

"We met with Minister Elliot and we basically wanted to emphasize with her that we wanted to be participating in the consultation as it goes along. They are going to end up looking to us for the funding, the obligated funding, and we wanted them to include all of the municipalities with our obligated funding and consider the population in the rural areas."

In regards to the development of the Ontario Health Team, the County is seeking a voice in the ongoing consultation process to ensure the result from the level of service is holistic and equitable with all other municipalities in the province.

The County is also looking to participate in the consultation process for Regional Public Health funding. It is designed to put together a health care system that is centered around patients, families and caregivers to strengthen local services.

They ask that the Minister consult with obligated/funding municipalities to make sure there is more clear accountability and responsibility for funding public health services under the new regional service model.

Warden Martin says they spoke on the Family Transition Program.

"We explained to the Minister how that worked and how it rolled out, and she seemed quite interested in that as well. And, in fact there were some cards exchanged and there will be some more consultation go on with regards to the transition program from home to the long-term care, to try and make it as less traumatic as possible for the patients."

They also request the Minister employ the Family Transition Program as a province-wide sustainable model, addressing the increasing demands on our health care system for managing patients and residents who require support in long-term care.

The conference was held in Toronto, which saw the County return home after they spent two days at the event.