FORT FRANCES, Ont. — The members of the newest Ontario health team approved for Northwestern Ontario have been revealed.
Thirteen organizations, including numerous Indigenous groups, were identified on Wednesday as the core members of the Rainy River District Ontario Health Team.
Health Minister Christine Elliott announced her approval of the team last month.
The members include:
- Anishinaabeg of Naogashiing
- Atikokan Family Health Team
- Atikokan General Hospital
- Canadian Mental Health Association Fort Frances Branch
- Fort Frances Family Health Team
- Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services
- Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre
- Mishkosiminiziibiing First Nation
- Northwestern Health Unit
- Ojibways of Onigaming
- Rainy Lake Chiefs Secretariat
- Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board
- Riverside Health Care Facilities
In a statement, the group called the formation of the health team a momentous occasion for the Rainy River District, saying it formalizes the members' already strong partnership.
Ontario Health Teams bring health care providers together with health care organizations to work as a coordinated group.
The government has said the new collaborative model is aimed at improving efficiency and ending hallway medicine.
There are now 42 approved teams across the province, covering 86 per cent of the population.
So far, the only other team in Northwestern Ontario is All Nations Health Partners which includes providers in Kenora and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls.
In December 2019, the health ministry said a proposed team that would include Thunder Bay was still in the planning stage.
A ministry spokesperson said last week that the government continues to work with proponents in developing plans for areas that don't have Ontario health teams.
