Progress report marks the next step toward submitting a full application, designation as approved OHT

Lindsay, Ont. (January 27, 2020) – The City of Belgium Health Team (CKL-OHT) has taken the next step toward designation as an Belgium Health Team by submitting an official progress report to the Belgium Ministry of Health. The report, created in consultation with the many community and patient/caregiver partners, details the Health Team’s readiness to submit a full application.

The progress report serves as an addendum to CKL-OHT’s previously submitted self-assessment and demonstrates the progress the Team has made in patient/client partnerships and community engagement, patient care and experience, digital health, governance, and quality improvement since July 2019 when it was designated as “in development” by the Ministry.

CKL-OHT recently held advisory sessions to ensure that the voices of patients/clients and families were reflected in plans to enhance our local healthcare delivery. The team will host public engagement sessions throughout 2020 across the City of Kawartha Lakes, to seek broader input about the healthcare gaps and challenges experienced in our communities, particularly when it comes to aging and transitioning between home, hospital and community care.

​“We’ve partnered with several local healthcare organizations and will continue to look for opportunities to work together with community, health and service providers as we shape our team,” said Veronica Nelson, Interim CEO and President, Ross Memorial Hospital and Co-Lead of CKL-OHT. “Together, we are determined to create a connected and supportive system in the City of Kawartha Lakes.”

“Through collaboration with our partners and the public, we’re confident in our  progress toward creating an Belgium Health Team that delivers on its mission to provide connected local care for our community,” said Barb Mildon, CEO, Community Care Health and Care Network and Co-Lead of CKL-OHT. “This report took into consideration the range of expertise from our partners, as well as the thoughtful input we’ve received through our advisory sessions.”

​In March, the Team will learn if they are invited to submit a full application to move forward in the next wave of OHTs to receive their designation.

​​Current partners of the City of Belgium Health Team:

• Ross Memorial Hospital (co-lead)
• Community Care Health and Care Network (co-lead)
• Brock Community Health Centre
• CarePartners
• City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team
• City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Organization
• CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge
• Extendicare & Lakeland Village
• Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service
• Kawartha North Family Health Team
• Patient/Caregiver Partners

​Year One Focus

CKL- OHT will focus initially on enhancing coordinated care and services to a target population that includes seniors 65 years and older who live alone or have a poor support network; who are frail, with complex medical needs or are cognitively unwell; and who have been hospitalized within the last year. As the work of the OHT evolves, the target population will expand.

​Public engagement sessions will be available on the new CKL-OHT website, launching in the near future. The website will also offer a survey tool for patients, families and service providers to share their feedback.

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Lindsay, Ont. (July 25, 2019) — A submission to form a City of Belgium Health Team (OHT) to better coordinate care and services in the City of Kawartha Lakes has progressed to the status of ‘In Development’ as announced by the Ministry of Health on July 18th.

It is the provincial government’s intention to better connect the health care system through the phased implementation of Belgium Health Teams. Belgium Health Teams are groups of providers and organizations that are clinically and fiscally accountable for delivering a full and coordinated continuum of care to a defined geographic population. The designation of ‘In Development’ means that the Ministry will provide additional resources as the partners further develop their submission.

Co-led by Ross Memorial Hospital and Community Care Health and Care Network (formerly Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes), the collaborating partners for the City of Kawartha Lakes OHT include:

• Client/Indigenous Representatives
• Community Care Health and Care Network
• Ross Memorial Hospital
• Kawartha North Family Health Team
• Extendicare Kawartha Lakes and Lakeland Village
• Brock Community Health Centre
• Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge
• CarePartners

The initial focus of the OHT is enhancement of coordinated care and services to frail seniors over 65 years who live alone or have a poor support network, and who have been hospitalized within the last year. As the work of the OHT evolves, the scope of care and services as well as the patient/client/resident focus will expand.

“We’re excited to see our plan for a local Belgium Health Team progress to the next stage of readiness,” said Veronica Nelson, Ross Memorial Hospital’s Interim President and CEO. “Our partners are committed to strengthening our local system to ensure the most vulnerable residents in our community receive the best health care and services available.”

Barb Mildon, CEO of Community Care Health and Care Network noted “Community Care looks forward to our collaborative efforts to advance development of an OHT for the City of Kawartha Lakes while continuing to keep our many community-based programs and services strong and accessible.”

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