Ontario Health Teams Part of Province’s Plan to End Hallway Health Care

Last week, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, was at the University of Toronto Mississauga to announce the Mississauga Ontario Health Team as one of the first 24 teams in the province to implement a new model of organizing and delivering health care that better connects patients and providers in their communities to improve patient outcomes. Through an Ontario Health Team, patients will experience easier transitions from one provider to another, including, for example, between hospitals and home care providers, with one patient story, one patient record and one care plan.

“This is an exciting time for health care in Ontario as we finally break down the long-standing barriers that have prevented care providers from working directly with each other to support patients throughout their health care journey,” said Elliott. “Together with our health care partners, the Mississauga Ontario Health Team will play an essential role in delivering on our commitment to end hallway health care and building a connected and sustainable public health care system centred around the needs of patients.”

The Mississauga Ontario Health Team, known as Mississauga Health, will create a connected system of care from prenatal, birth to end-of-life care. The team will focus on improving the health of the people in the community, addressing physical, mental and emotional well-being, as well as simplifying navigation for patients, families and caregivers. Mississauga Health will integrate services from primary care, home care, community care and hospital care to create a seamless system for patients, families and caregivers.

“With our new Mississauga Ontario Health Team, patients will benefit from better integrated health care, with a seamless experience when moving between different health care services, providers and settings,” said Elliott. “I would like to thank all the health care providers and organizations that helped plan the Mississauga Ontario Health Team; there is lots of work to be done, but with their dedication and hard work, we will continue to improve health care in our communities and ensure Ontarians get the care they deserve.”

As it continues its work to integrate care, Mississauga Health will put in place 24/7 navigation and care coordination services for patients and families. Patients will receive these services through their integrated primary care teams and the broader Ontario Health Team partners. This work will be implemented in phases and over time will provide care for everyone within Mississauga Health’s population. These new services are aimed at supporting patients and families including those people with complex medical or social needs.

The Mississauga Ontario Health Team will begin implementing some of their proposed programs and services in 2020 and will communicate with patients and families about the changes and improvements they can expect in their community.