Ontario Building on Plan to Connect Public Health Care System for Patients

TORONTO — Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, moved one step closer to fulfilling the government’s commitment to a connected, sustainable public health care system centred around the patient, by announcing the early slate of the Ontario Health Board of Directors.

“Our government is committed to building a modern, connected public health care system that patients, families, and caregivers deserve,” said Elliott. “To build a truly patient-centred system of care, we must enable collaboration and coordination from top to bottom. We need to bring the best of our system together, and form deep roots that put health care in Ontario on a solid foundation for the future.”

The government has proposed legislation that would, if passed, enable the transfer of multiple existing provincial agencies into Ontario Health over a number of years. The board will take on a number of critical responsibilities, most importantly, ensuring the continuity of patient care throughout the transition process.

“The individuals who have come forward to serve on this board are exemplary. They possess a wide range of specialized skills, from health care to business operations, from logistics to public service delivery, from community engagement to volunteerism. Together, they will ensure that Ontario Health is positioned to modernize and strengthen our public health care system,” said Elliott. “Our plan will enable local teams of health care providers to know and understand each patient’s needs and provide the appropriate, high-quality connected care Ontarians expect and deserve.”

“Ontario Health represents an exciting evolution of the tremendous work, innovation and collaboration that is already in place in our health care system,” said Bill Hatanaka, Chair Nominee of the Ontario Health Board of Directors. “Aligning these resources under Ontario Health will enable more integrated patient-centred care and more coordinated support for service providers.”