While the achievement of the three public priorities for health care is currently driving change in Ontario, building a better system continues to be an ongoing focus for the government.

Essentially this means improving the way the health system operates. A more efficiently-run system will contribute to a quality health care environment in which Ontarians, their families and those that provide care can thrive. It will also ensure that the system is sustainable for years to come.

Working towards this goal has meant the implementation of innovative approaches, such as the creation of 14 Local Health Integration Networks.

These community-focused organizations have been established by the government to coordinate health care services according to 14 geographic areas. In doing so, they are working closely with health care providers, including: hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres, community care access centres, community support services organizations and mental health and addiction agencies.

More importantly, they are involving their communities in health care planning so that people can have a say in health care decisions that will ultimately affect them when they need care.

To ensure continuity and quality of care, the government is making significant investments in areas like home care and community-based care. The idea is to lessen the pressure on hospital emergency rooms, while providing people with good care in the comfort of their home and strengthening services in the community. For example :

• a record $1.4 billion a year has been invested in home care alone, making approximately 45,000 more Ontarians eligible to receive services at home; and
• unprecedented investments have been made in community-based health care with the creation of 22 new Community Health Centres (CHCs) and 17 satellite CHCs.

Through the Information Management Strategy, the government is also working to produce better data and consolidate health system information.

For the latest information about these and other exciting changes in health care, visit our News Media Section main page. Write to us at transforminghealth@moh.gov.on.ca

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