Improving Care in the South West LHIN
Joint South West LHIN & OMA Physician Session
The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the South West LHIN recently co-hosted the sixth annual physician engagement sessions in London, Stratford, and Owen Sound.
These sessions provide an opportunity for an exchange of information, where the LHIN and guest speakers provide an update on initiatives in the medical community. The South West LHIN provided an updated on major initiatives such as Access to Care and Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO)as well as the gains made in Emergency Department wait times across the LHIN.
The LHIN’s presentation also provided an update on the Integrated Health Service Plan 2013-16 that the South West LHIN Board of Directors recently approved. The IHSP is a foundational document that defines the LHIN’s strategic directions and actions that will guide all LHIN activities over the next three years. Click here to view the LHIN presentation from Michael Barrett, CEO, South West LHIN.
Participants were then asked to attend one of two breakout sessions:
Primary Care Models - Are we the hub, the spokes, or the lug nuts? - presented by Dr. Rob Annis, Primary Care Lead for South West LHIN and co-chair of the South West Primary Care Network. With these 2 unique perspectives, Dr. Annis sets the stage for a discussion on the CFPC Medical Home model and other “hub – type” models and how they fit with the provincial direction for greater integration of primary care with other health care providers. Dr. Annis will also provide an overview of the evolution of the Primary Care Network, the purpose of the network, its successes and challenges and opportunities, and how the network’s work can support primary care providers as models of care evolve to support Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care.
eReferral - Timely and appropriate referrals can mean multiple phone calls, faxes and emails, leaving patients and caregivers frustrated by this fragmented, inconsistent approach to referrals. This breakout session was a panel discussion that:
- Highlights changes in practice that local primary care physicians and
specialists have implemented to improve the process and
- Explores the potential of e-health solutions as enablers
Click here to view the panel discussion on e-referral.