South East LHIN releases draft integrated health services plan for comment

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The South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) released its Draft Integrated Health Services Plan last week, and is inviting members of the public to provide comment and feedback. The final plan, which the LHIN will submit to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in October 2006, will guide developments in the local health care system for the next three years.

“We are inviting the public to take a look at the Draft Integrated Health Services Plan and offer us their feedback,” says Georgina Thompson, Chair of the South East LHIN . “The comments we receive from the public will help us to finalize the plan and priorities for the next three years.”

The seven key priorities identified reflect the priorities that were found to be important to the South East LHIN population when community meetings took place in the spring. They include:

1. Improving access to: Primary health care; Specialized medical care; Mental health services; Addiction services; Rehabilitation services; Transportation to and from health care

2.  Improving the availability of long-term care services

3.  Making the movement of patients between different health care organizations and  professionals easier

4. Developing better communication between the South East LHIN and local Aboriginal communities

5.  Improving access to health care services in French

6.  Moving ahead with the development and use of electronic health information systems

7.  Developing a regional health human resources plan

Comments will be received by the LHIN until September 7, 2006 and can be sent by mail to the South East Local Health Integration Network, 2-48 Dundas Street West , Belleville , Ontario , K8P 1A3 , by FAX at 613-967-1341 or by e-mail at Florence.Peretie@lhins.on.ca.

To obtain a copy of the Draft Integrated Health Services Plan, visit online at www.lhins.on.ca/english/SouthEast/SouthEast.asp or call 1-866-831-5446.