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On track to announce First 45 Family Health Teams by March 31, 2005
TORONTO, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - The Ontario government has received 211
applications to create the first Family Health Teams, bringing Ontarians one
step closer to more accessible front-line health care in their communities,
announced Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.
"There is an incredibly strong interest among doctors, other health
professionals and community groups in Family Health Teams," said Smitherman.
"We are on track to bring the first teams to hundreds of thousands of patients
across the province."
Smitherman reported that 1,300 doctors and 2,600 other health
professionals were part of these first FHT applications received. Last fall,
meetings were held throughout Ontario with health care professionals and
community representatives interested in learning more about how to apply to
create a Family Health Team (FHT). Evaluation of the 211 applications
submitted will be completed by the end of March 2005, paving the way for the
launch of Ontario's first 45 FHTs.
The government will create 150 Family Health Teams over the next four
years, with the first 45 applications to be approved in early 2005. Family
Health Teams will include doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and other
health care providers working together to deliver care to patients during
extended hours and on weekends, including access to an after-hours Registered
Nurse through the Telephone Health Advisory Service. FHTs will provide
comprehensive care including prevention, health promotion and treatment of
minor illnesses and chronic diseases.
"We are working hard to get Ontarians the care they need, when they need
it, by the appropriate health care professional as close to home as possible,"
said Dr. Jim MacLean, Executive Lead for Primary Health Care with the Health
Results Team, tasked with overseeing the transformation of health care in
Ontario. "The tremendous response we've had from the health care community
will be invaluable in achieving this goal."
"We know that communities with proper health care supports have stronger
economic potential," said Len Crispino, President and CEO of the Ontario
Chamber of Commerce. "Today's announcement is good news for the future
prosperity of many Ontario communities."
"Ontario communities are ready for this team approach to health care,"
said Dr. Ruth Wilson, Chair of the Family Health Team Action Group. "We know
that when patients are cared for by a team of professionals, they have better
outcomes. Health professionals also find the support of other professionals
improves their work life."
Primary care is a patient's first and most frequent point of contact with
the health care system. Family doctors, nurse practitioners and other primary
care professionals provide individual patients with a range of health care
including disease prevention, counseling and supporting patients to make
healthy choices, and treating minor illness and chronic diseases like diabetes
and asthma.
Today's announcement is part of the McGuinty government's comprehensive
plan to improve health care in Ontario. It's a plan that includes reducing
wait times for key procedures, creating Family Health Teams, increasing the
number of doctors and nurses, and investing heavily in community-based health
care in order to ease the pressure on hospitals and deliver care where
patients need it most - closer to home.
This news release, along with other media materials, such as reprintable
articles and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.
For more information on achievements in health care, visit:
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca.
Version française disponible
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For further information: Members of the media: Eva Lannon, Minister's Office, (416) 327-4320; David Jensen, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, (416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154
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