November 19, 2020

South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team collaborate to design the best possible care for our region

Collingwood, Ontario – November 18, 2020 – Today, Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care announced the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team (SGBOHT) as one of 13 new Ontario Health Teams in the province to provide better, connected care to patients. The SGBOHT is one of 42 Ontario Health Teams in the province.

Through the Ontario Health Team model, patients will experience easier transitions from one provider to another, including, for example, between hospitals and long-term care, with one patient story, one patient record and one care plan.

“While still in its early stages, Ontario Health Teams are already breaking down long-standing barriers to better connect care for both patients and our frontline heroes,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These teams have demonstrated remarkable responsiveness to the COVID-19 outbreak by helping to address challenges in a variety of areas, and they are essential to building a connected health care system centred around the needs of patients.”

The SGBOHT is comprised of partners across the health and social sectors including Community Connection, Georgian Bay Family Health Team, Georgian Bay Family Health Organization, Hospice Georgian Triangle, Breaking Down Barriers, Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County, South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre, Bay Haven Care Community, Entité 4, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Home and Community Care. The SGBOHT is also supported by the County of Simcoe, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and local townships and municipalities. Over the next year, the SGBOHT will continue to focus on creating a health care system that is designed locally with patients, families, caregivers and providers to meet the needs of its community.

Local population data analysis and a robust community engagement session with patients, families, health care providers, community organizations and residents, identified seniors with complex health conditions as the first-year patient population of focus for the SGBOHT. The goal of the SGBOHT will be to organize seamless care for these seniors and ensure they feel supported and connected to their community. This is especially critical during the pandemic as seniors, especially those with complex health issues, are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, and the associated challenges of living during the pandemic.

Other areas of focus for the SGBOHT include:

• Continuing to proactively support the South Georgian Bay community through COVID-19 to
  ensure the health and safety of its community, and respond to future changes
• Leveraging the South Georgian Bay partners’ history of collaboration and integration to enhance communications across care providers and improve the patient and caregiver experience
• Supporting health equity initiatives to ensure everyone in South Georgian Bay has equal access to physical, mental health and social services
• Ensuring that the South Georgian Bay community is engaged in the planning and
  implementation of the SGBOHT and to develop integrated and connected care solutions in
  response to the local needs of the community

“This is a very exciting time for the South Georgian Bay region and all community partners involved. Becoming an Ontario Health Team will allow us to continue along our journey of creating greater connectivity for patients, as they move through their health care journey,” said Norah Holder, CGMH President and CEO.

Over the past ten months, the SGBOHT planning table has continued to meet on a regular basis with a focus on shared initiatives that support the health and wellness of the South Georgian Bay community. A collaborative initiative focused on enhanced mental health and social determinants of health in relation to COVID-19, will continue to be a focus of the SGBOHT during the pandemic.

“I’m thrilled to see this recognition of the longstanding history of collaboration amongst health care providers and community service organizations in our region. Forming the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health team will enable us to continue our evolution towards a more integrated health system locally,” said Dr. Harry O’Halloran, Lead Physician, Georgian Bay Family Health Organization. “I’m proud to be part of this dedicated, engaged group, and look forward to ongoing opportunities to work together in an effort to enhance the health and wellbeing of our population.”

The SGBOHT will continue to communicate with the South Georgian Bay residents about new initiatives and improvements they can expect in their community.

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About the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team (SGBOHT)
The SGBOHT is comprised of eleven anchor organizations, inclusive of Community Connection, Georgian Bay Family Health Team, Georgian Bay Family Health Organization, Hospice Georgian Triangle, Breaking Down Barriers, Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County, South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre, Bay Haven Care Community, Entité 4, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Home and Community Care. The SGBOHT partners are working together to create a health care system that is designed locally with patients, families, caregivers and providers to meet the needs of our specific community.

Media Contact:
Louise Picot
South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team
705-606-1549
louise@louisepicot.com