North West LHIN Blueprint for a Better Health Care Future in Northwestern Ontario

The North West LHIN Health Services Blueprint: Building Our Future is a 10 year plan to reshape and strengthen the health care system in Northwestern Ontario. Released in March 2012, the Blueprint recommends changes to our health system to ensure we have a health care system that is truly patient-centred, provides better coordinated care for patients and their families, has improved quality standards and best practices in place for patients and clients, and continues to be sustainable for our children and grandchildren.

For complete details on the Health Services Blueprint, including the full report and appendices, video, and additional print materials, please click here.

Behavioural Supports Ontario

Improving support for seniors with complex mental health needs

The North West LHIN, in partnership with all Ontario LHINs, is investing in the enhancement of services for older Ontarians with complex and responsive behaviours by investing in local initiatives that will improve care wherever they live - at home or in the community.

The Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) project is a $40 million provincial investment which will allow local health service providers to hire new staff – nurses, personal support workers and other health care providers – and train them in the specialized skills necessary to provide care for these patients with dignity and respect.

The North West LHIN worked with a LHIN-wide project team of providers, physicians and consumers to create our regional BSO action plan. The North West LHIN Action Plan details how the LHIN will be implementing the Behavioural Supports Ontario Framework of Care.

Integrated Provincial Falls Prevention Framework & Toolkit 

Ontario’s Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and Public Health Units have partnered to develop an Integrated Provincial Falls Prevention Framework & Toolkit to improve quality of life for Ontario seniors aged 65 years and over, and to lessen the impact of falls on the health care system by reducing the number and impact of falls.   

Click here to read more about this initiative.

Home First Shifts Care of Seniors to HOME

Providing safe and timely care for seniors once their hospital care is complete is making a difference and helping them to go home rather than staying in hospital. Local hospitals, in partnership with the Community Care Access Centre, have implemented Home First, which makes going home from hospital, where most people want to go, the first option. Click here to read more and view a video. 

Senior Friendly Care in North West LHIN Hospitals

Hospitals play an essential role in the health and well being of seniors. Seniors are three times more likely to be hospitalized than younger people and receive care in nearly every area of the hospital. However, evidence shows that seniors’ health declines the longer they stay in hospital as a result of complications, lack of activity and infections.  This can lead to longer hospital stays and reduce their chances of returning home and regaining their health and independence.

Ontario’s Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) are leading a Senior Friendly Hospital strategy – an initiative to improve seniors’ health and prevent their physical and mental decline in hospital. All adult hospitals in Ontario have completed a Senior Friendly Hospital assessment and summary reports for each LHIN were developed in collaboration with the Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario. A copy of the summary report on senior friendly care in North West LHIN hospitals can be downloaded by clicking here.

Welcome to the North West LHIN

The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), with its partners, is working towards its vision for the northwest: Healthier people, a strong health system – our future. The North West LHIN is responsible for planning, integrating and funding many local health services, including hospitals, the Community Care Access Centre, community health centres, long-term care homes, community support service agencies and community mental health and addiction services.

Planning, delivering and accessing health services within the northwest can be challenging. We have the lowest population, spread over the largest geographic area. The North West LHIN extends from just west of White River to the Manitoba border and from Hudson Bay in the north down to the United States border. Portions of our Aboriginal population live in remote areas with road access only in the winter; others are accessible only by air.

The North West LHIN believes that local communities best understand their local health care needs and priorities. We are committed to ongoing community engagement and continue to seek knowledge and input in developing local solutions.

By working together, we will succeed at improving the quality of and accessibility to health care services for the residents of Northwestern Ontario.