WEST CARLETON – The west Ottawa region is joining up with Arnprior and parts of Lanark County for an application to become an Ontario Health Team member.

“The Ontario government has given the green light to a group of 70 partners from the Arnprior, North Grenville, Carleton Place, Almonte and west Ottawa regions to submit a full application to become an Ontario Health Team (OHT),” Arnprior Regional Health’s (ARH) communications manager Melissa McDermott released in a statement Monday (Feb. 11).

OHTs are a new way of delivering people-centered health care, developed as part of the government’s health system plan and People’s Healthcare Act, 2019.  They bring together primary care, hospitals, public health and community and social services under one umbrella to help people more easily get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

The 70 member organizations — together called the Four Rivers OHT (an interim name) – cover vast geography, heading west from Woodroffe Avenue in Ottawa and into the Arnprior region, North Grenville, Carleton Place and Almonte. 

“They represent a diverse population and will work to help the people in their communities to live their healthiest life,” McDermott said. “They each have a vital role to play. By working together, they can integrate care, coordinate transitions, and grow and improve services.”

In order to become a designated Ontario Health Team, a formal application process must take place:

• A self-assessment form was submitted and reviewed by the Ontario Ministry of Health
• Next, the Four Rivers OHT will prepare and submit a full application
• Once accepted, the Ontario government will conduct an in-person assessment to determine if Four Rivers is fully ready to become an Ontario Health Team

This process will take a few months.

In the first year of operation, the OHT plans to focus on transforming mental health and addictions services and improving outcomes for those with certain chronic diseases across the Four Rivers geography.

The following organizations are participants in the Four Rivers (TBC) Ontario Health Team: Carefor Health & Community Services, Compass Group Canada, AlayaCare, Medtronic Canada, PFAC Kemptville District Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, Kemptville & District Home Support Inc., Rideau Valley Health Services, Southbridge Care Homes – Bayfield Manor, Rideau Crossing Health Services, Kemptville Medical Centre, Merrickville Family Practice & KDH, Osgood Family Health Organization, Parents Lifeline of Eastern Ontario, The Royal, Kemptville District Hospital, Med Team Inc., Municipality of North Grenville, Southbridge Care Homes, EORLA, Saint Elizabeth Health Care (SE Health), Public Health, Leeds & Grenville Paramedic Services, Rural Ottawa South Support Services, Home and Community Care LHIN, Kemptville Health and Wellness, Children’s Mental Health Leeds Grenville, Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Beth Donovan Hospice, Community Living North Grenville, Southgate Church, Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing, CommuniCare Therapy, Caregiver and Patient Representatives, Champlain Region Family Council (LTC) Homes), Council on Aging, Ottawa, Greater Arnprior Seniors Council, Arnprior Regional Health, Arnprior-Braeside-McNab Seniors At Home Program, Arnprior & District Family Health Team, Bayshore Health Care, Bruyere Continuing Care, Carebridge (The Mills), ComForCare Ottawa, Champlain LHIN Home & Community Care, Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, Hospice Care Ottawa, Medigas/Praxair, Olde Forge Community Resource Centre, OMNI Health Care, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa Valley Family Health Team, Almonte Family Health Organization, Carleton Place Family Health Organization, Beckwith Family Health Organization, Ottawa West Community Support, Pathways, Phoenix Centre, Pinecrest Queensway CHC, Renfrew County, Community Paramedicine Program, Renfrew County and District Health Unit, Richmond Medical Clinic, Recovery Care, Sienna Living, West Carleton Family Health Team, West Ottawa Community Resource Centre, French Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario, Queensway Carleton Hospital.