Maplewood administrator Betty Brisco says it’s crucial long-term care is well-represented at an upcoming discussion session held by the South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). She’s organizing a team from the Brighton long-term care home to attend.

“It’s critical we be involved,” says Betty.

Service providers in the South East LHIN unite for a discussion about this region’s needs and how care and services are currently being delivered, according to material from the South East LHIN. Those invited to the meeting are also being asked to report on what services are working well, where there are unmet needs, issues of access, and areas for improvement in the organization and delivery of services.

Service providers are also asked to share their vision of what a strong health care system in South East looks like and what additional services are needed to build a sustainable health system.

The LHIN is using this information as part of a process to develop an Integrated Health Services Plan (IHSP) for Southeastern Ontario.

LHINs have been set up by the Ontario government to plan, integrate and fund local health services in 14 different geographic areas of the province. LHINs will have jurisdiction over health services delivered in hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres, community support services and mental health agencies.

“The issue with the LHIN is identifying what we have in the community and what the needs are and how to get there,” says Betty. Because LHINs are new and unknown, it’s important to be involved to become educated about the new way of health care service delivery in Ontario.

“I feel that many opinions give us the best outcomes. It’s important to be a part of the discussion to be sure that our best interests are upheld. It would certainly all be resident-focused.”

Betty has requested participation of representatives from all of Maplewood’s departments. Prior to the meeting, “we’ll get together and develop our plan,” says Betty.

Betty says one issue of importance to Maplewood is increased accessibility to health care services so Maplewood residents and their families don’t have to travel far for specialized services. “Things of that nature have to be explored,” says Betty.

Linda Pierce, administrator of Village Green, has been chosen as the long term care representative for the South East LHIN Project Work Team (PWT).

The team is composed of individuals representing nine health care sectors and will participate in gathering information and developing a draft of the region’s first IHSP. The IHSP, due in September, will outline the region’s needs and priorities while articulating an integration strategy.