September 17, 2021 – A collaboration of over 60 health system partners from the Arnprior, North Grenville, Carleton Place, Almonte and West Ottawa regions reached an important milestone today in their application to become an Ontario Health Team (OHT), with the Ministry of Health officially approving their application.

OHTs, being formed across the province, are teams of health and community support services providers that are accountable for delivering coordinated care to a defined geographic population. Specifically, an OHT is responsible for delivering care for their patients, directly connecting them to the different types of care they need and providing 24/7 help in navigating the health care system. They are being developed as part of the government’s health system plan and People’s Healthcare Act, 2019. They bring together health care services such as primary care, hospitals, public health, long term care, home and community care, and community support services under one umbrella to help people more easily get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

“This is an exciting step for our members and our broader community. We have the opportunity to reimagine and transform the way health and community support services are delivered within our OHT,” says Amy Boudreau, co-chair of the new OHT. “I am so proud of how our members have collaborated in reaching this milestone and look forward to our future work together to improve the health system for our population.”

In its first year, the new OHT will focus on improving mental health and addictions services.

“There are many different organizations and primary care providers involved in our OHT.  Inclusion is a key area of focus for us, as reflected in our diverse partners who will ensure that the Francophone, Indigenous, urban, and rural populations across our geography are well served,” says Chris LeBouthillier, co-chair of the new OHT. “We’ve made efforts to ensure that lived experience partners are integrated in all of our work and we are excited to work towards a healthier population and improved experiences for all.”

The OHT steering committee is currently seeking input from lived experience partners and providers on a new name that will represent this population, which will be shared with the partners and broader public soon.

The following organizations are participants in the newly approved Ontario Health Team: Almonte Family Health Organization; Arnprior and District Family Health Team, Arnprior Regional Health; Arnprior-Braeside-McNab Seniors at Home Program; Bayfield Manor;  Bayshore HealthCare; Beckwith Family Health Organization; Beth Donovan Hospice; Bruyère; Carefor Health and Community Services; Carleton Place Family Health Organization; Champlain Region Family Council Network; Children’s Mental Health of Leeds Grenville; ComForCare Ottawa; Communicare Therapy; Community Living North Grenville; County of Renfrew Paramedic Service; Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County; Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association; French Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario; Greater Arnprior Seniors Council; Champlain LHIN Home and Community Care; Hospice Care Ottawa; J.W. MacIntosh Community Support Services; Kemptville and District Home Support Inc.; Kemptville District Hospital; Kemptville Health and Wellness; Kemptville Medical Centre; Kemptville Pride; Leeds and Grenville Paramedic Services; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Manotick Medical Centre; Med Team Inc. Family Health Group; Municipality of North Grenville; Olde Forge Community Resource Centre; OMNI Health Care; Osgoode Village Family Health Organization; Ottawa Lifestyle Medicine; Ottawa Paramedic Services; Ottawa Public Health; Ottawa Valley Family Health Team; Ottawa West Community Support; Parents’ Lifeline of Eastern Ontario; Pathways Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services; Phoenix Centre for Children and Families; Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre; Queensway Carleton Hospital; Recovery Care; Renfrew County and District Health Unit; Richmond Medical Clinic; Rideau Crossing Health Services; Rideau Valley Health Services; Rideauwood Addictions and Family Services; Rural Ottawa South Support Services; SE Health Care; Sienna Living; South Gate Church; The Royal Ottawa; West Carleton Family Health Team; and Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre.