Sarnia-Lambton healthcare agencies are taking a slow, thorough approach as they collaborate on an Ontario Health Team application.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade said they intend to take their time and put together a really good submission.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade (Photo from Lambton Public Health)
"The [Ontario Health Team] discussion is really about saying who are the healthcare providers here, the hospitals, primary care groups, community care agencies," said Ranade. "And how do they coordinate the services that they deliver to patients."
The plan to create regional health teams across the province is part of the Progressive Conservative government's shakeup that includes disbanding Ontario's 14 Local Health Integration Networks. (LHINS)
While other areas have already submitted preliminary self-assessments, Sarnia-Lambton opted to wait for the second round of applications later this year.
Dr. Ranade said a lot of groundwork needs to be done.
"Part of that groundwork is really establishing a really solid vision for what the health system in Lambton County should look like, and also what should it look like from the perspective of a patient who goes through it. And if we can really clearly define those two things, then I think we'll be able to move forward much more easily on an Ontario Health Team application."
Proposed teams in London, Chatham-Kent, Huron-Perth, and Windsor-Essex have already advanced to the second step, and have been invited to submit full applications.
Dr. Ranade says Lambton is looking at some of the successful applications from other areas as part of its consultations.
Ontario Health Teams are geared to serve groups of 50,000 to 300,000 people and will be accountable for service delivery and system performance in their respective areas.
-With files from Stephanie Chaves
