The provincial government has identified primary care renewal as one of its priorities to help Ontario residents live healthier lifestyles (through health promotion, illness prevention and management of chronic diseases) and to reduce the strain on hospital resources in the province. The establishment of Family Health Teams is a key part of this initiative.
Locally we have received ministry approval for the clinic expansion and the EGH Foundation has launched a new fundraising campaign to manage the fundraising efforts on behalf of the FHT. Groundbreaking will take place in September.
The new building will include a state of the art multi-media classroom, Telehealth services and North Network programming as well as office space and exam rooms for physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, a mental health worker, a registered dietician, a pharmacist and a chiropodist.
The Team is now an incorporated organization and will continue to hire new staff in a variety of positions over the next few months. Also watch for new education and programming opportunities.
“A key responsibility of the FHT will be to act as a patient “navigator” across the health care system and to coordinate diagnostic services, home care services, long-term care as well as referrals to specialists.” (OHA Policy Statement)
