The Huron-Perth and Area Ontario Health Team (HPA-OHT) has launched a new public engagement platform.
Nicole Vlasman, the health team's Marketing and Communications Lead, says the goal of the platform is to get public feedback on how healthcare in the region will evolve in the coming years. She says this new platform is launching as the health team charts its new strategic plan, and there are some critical healthcare questions that the team hopes to get input on in a new survey.
"We're asking very basic questions like when you think about your health, what helps you stay well? What works for you? What does good access to healthcare mean? That is a straight up survey question we have and you can click multiple options for that," Vlasman said. "We also ask things like what are the biggest issues you face when it comes to your care? If you needed help and it wasn't an emergency, where would you turn to first? Would it be a family doctor, an emergency department? So letting us know where that point of access is for you."
The survey is currently available on the new platform (https://yourvoice.hpaoht.ca/strategic-plan). Vlasman adds that it will be available until Wednesday, May 6, but the platform will be offering many other opportunities to have the public give feedback regarding local healthcare in Huron and Perth.
Vlasman also points out that while this initial survey asks some pointed multiple choice questions, there are also sections that are open ended where people can lay out their thoughts on other topics.
"What does prevention in healthcare mean for you? What would a great local health and community care system look like to you? And also what would make you feel confident in the system and that it's working well for you and your family? All of those things are covered in the survey," she said.
Members of HPA‑OHT’s Patient, Family, and Caregiver Advisory Council (PFAC) played a key role in shaping how and why the platform was developed. A press release from the health team says the engagement platform was designed to "be used to support ongoing, system‑level engagement as HPA‑OHT advances strategic planning and future initiatives."
Those without access to digital tools can contact HPA‑OHT by phone at 519‑274‑0609 to learn about alternative ways to share their perspectives.
"This is about hearing directly from the people who live here—patients, caregivers, families, and community members—before decisions are made," shared Joëlle Lamport‑Lewis, Director of HPA‑OHT. "As we define our future priorities, community insight is essential to building a health system that is responsive, connected, and grounded in local needs."
