Ontario Health Team (OHT) Application
The application, development and implementation of the OHT is the result of grassroot efforts and leadership across various partners in the area over the past decade. The modest one-time investment from ISC for the ANHP work provided many benefits, including the establishment of the OHT, further positioning the partnership to grow and sustain healthy, self-determining and vibrant communities. Section 2.2-2.4 of the OHT application highlight the work that has gone into the establishment and expansion of the ANHP.
- In spring of 2019, the ANHP submitted their initial application to become an Ontario Health Team (OHT) – the new provincial model of health care delivery, in development.
- 157 teams across Ontario initially applied, with 31 proceeding to full application. Of those, only 24 OHTs were announced in December, 2019.
- The ANHP is the only team in northwest Ontario, the smallest team, the only team in Ontario with full Indigenous partners, and the only team that is not hospital-led.
- Ten working groups were formed in January 2020, to launch the work of the ANHP and its health system transformation plans. These working group ‘buckets’ include front-line staff and management from various organizations in the Kenora region, and are growing to represent a wide cross-section of service providers and their populations.
- The ten buckets are:
Ten Working Group ‘buckets’ were established by the All Nations Health Partners in January 2020, prior to COVID-19:- Communication Strategy – The group is comprised of experienced communications staff from several of the partner organizations. The group identified the need to develop a logo, brand, webpage and social media presence, in addition to periodic media releases. Work on these projects accelerated due to COVID-19, and includes a Daily Bulletin on COVID news and stats, newspaper ads, radio announcements in both Anishinaabemowin and English, hot-lines in both languages, and several videos on both languages. As the situation returns to normal/new normal, communication strategies are refined or adapted to meet the needs of our population.
- Cross-Border Issues and Strategies (Manitoba) – This group was established pre-OHT, and work was on-going during the winter. During COVID, new agreements were established for lab testing in Manitoba, shortening test result turn-around times from up to 14 days, to two. This allowed people to return to their homes much sooner, and resulted in substantial cost savings in isolation spaces and staff serving the vulnerable population.
- Digital Connectivity Strategy (including privacy, quality improvement, evaluation) – Solutions are being sought that will work for our diverse population, and allow for communication amongst all health care workers, to allow improved wholistic, wraparound care with fewer gaps.
- Governance / Partnership / Leadership – This group began to make plans to discuss how to structure the ANHP and OHT, but due to COVID, work did not progress as planned. Further discussions have been held, and more work will be done on this important piece in the near future.
- Home Care & Community Support Services (including supportive housing, long-term care) – update provided below.
- Homelessness & Housing (as a determinant of health) – our area has a disproportionately high percent of homeless and underhoused families and individuals. While this bucket might not traditionally be considered part of OHT work, the homelessness issue has ripple effects across much of the OHT work. By shifting services ‘up front’, the plan is to decrease the high-cost reactive services downstream (lights and sirens), for overall better health, mental health, and cost savings. COVID highlighted gaps in services in our area, especially while planning for isolation of vulnerable people awaiting test results. This group has been actively meeting, making plans, securing funding and actioning projects to start with a housing-first approach for our area.
- Mental Health & Addictions (including RAAM, safe consumption site) – From January to March, several meetings were held with a broad range of the area’s Mental Health organizations and workers included. Regular meetings were suspended during COVID, but partners have continued to communicate and work together to plan for ongoing streamlining of services, and defined pathways.
- Primary Care (including funding models) – improved primary care both on-reserve and in municipalities has been flagged as one of the new top priorities of the ANHP OHT, in response to communities’ needs expressed to and through local leaders. More details below.
- Public Health – during the COVID crisis, public health has been instrumental in serving our large geographic area, making connections for organizations, and sharing information. While time has not allowed for work on the OHT per se, the crisis has highlighted gaps, solutions and the value of the partnership.
- Recruitment (building on pre-existing work to include all healthcare professionals) – This group pre-dated the OHT, and work has continued throughout COVID to hire and train new health care workers for short- and long-term, and attract physicians and other professionals to our area.
- In its first year, the ANHP OHT will be focusing on the Mental Health & Addictions crisis services, in addition to Home Care & Community Support Services, and Digital Connectivity Strategy.
- One Kenora physician has already been re-allocated from the NW LHIN to our new OHT.
