Residents hear update on LHIN

Representatives of the North West Local Health Integration Network held a public meeting here Monday night to inform residents on how the new health care system is progressing.
“The purpose of tonight’s meeting is twofold: It’s an opportunity for members of the LHIN to talk about what they’re doing, and it’s also an opportunity for you to give feedback to them,” moderator Bruce Malloch of Avant Communications said.
Gwen DuBois-Wing, CEO of the local LHIN, explained what the network is compared to similar systems in other provinces.
While some western provinces decided to dismantle local health boards, such as those governing hospitals and long-term care facilities, the local boards will remain intact in Ontario.
The LHIN board, made up of nine members and chaired by John Whitfield of Thunder Bay, will work closely with those local boards, DuBois-Wing pledged.
“Those boards, they’re really a community voice,” she told the 45 people on hand at the Memorial Sports Centre auditorium Monday night.
“We need strong collaboration with local boards,” agreed Whitfield.
People in the north often complain that decisions made in Toronto regarding their health care do not always reflect local needs. The LHIN will have the authority to make decisions in the best interests of the region.
“The Ministry [of Health and Long-Term Care] is backing off and is going to play more of a stewardship role,” DuBois-Wing explained.
“This is a real opportunity to build a true system in the interests of improving patient care,” she added.
The LHIN’s areas of responsibility are hospitals, long-term care homes, Community Care Access Centres (CCACs), community health centres, community mental health and addiction agencies, and community support service organizations (for example, personal assistance services and homemaking).
Areas not funded by LHINs, but still requiring effective partnerships, include public health, physicians, ambulance services, labs, and provincial networks and programs.
Funding will begin flowing through the LHINs on April 1, 2007.
Also on hand Monday night were LHIN vice-chair Jan Beazley (Fort Frances), board member Judy Morrison (Fort Frances), Laura Kokocinski, senior director of planning, integration, and community engagement, and Andy Gallardi, senior director of performance, contract, and allocation.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)