Help shape our health care future at public consultations throughout region
YorkRegion.com
Feb. 3, 2016
Lisa Queen
You have a chance to help shape the future of health care by sharing your ideas at one of a number of public meetings in York Region this month.
The Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is holding public consultations to hear your views on a report called Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario.
The report is available at
centrallhin.on.ca/communityengagement/currentengagements/PatientsFirstProposal
While the province said that during the past 10 years it has improved access to primary care, provided more care for people at home, reduced hospital wait times, invested in health promotion programs and taken steps to make the system more transparent and accountable, it admits there are still gaps in care.
For example, some Ontario residents, especially indigenous people, Franco-Ontarians and members of cultural groups (especially newcomers) and people with mental health and addictions challenges are not always well-served by the health care system.
Many Ontario residents have difficulty seeing their primary care provider when needed and often end up going to emergency departments or walk-in clinics instead.
Some families find home care and community care services inconsistent and difficult to navigate.
Many family caregivers are experiencing high levels of stress.
Public health programs are disconnected from the rest of the health care system.
Health services are fragmented, which can result in poor health outcomes for patients.
SIDEBAR
If you have ideas on how to improve the system, you can attend one of the following meetings:
- Feb. 3 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Markham Welcome Centre at 8400 Woodbine Ave. Suite 102-103
- Feb. 4, 2016 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at 60 Renfrew Dr., Suite 300 in Markham. This event will be conducted in French.
- Feb. 10 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall, Hall 4 at 200 Doug Duncan Dr.
- A webinar on Feb. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. Visit centrallhin.on.ca for more information.
- Feb. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Georgina Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic at 21071 Dalton Rd. in Sutton. This consultation is intended for indigenous residents
