The County of Renfrew has received an update on the newly formed Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team (OHT). Clinical Lead Dr. Richard Johnson and Co-Chair Dr. Declan Rowan provided an update to Renfrew County Council on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022. Ontario Health Teams are a new way of organizing and delivering care that is more connected to patients, families and caregivers in their local communities.
The Ottawa Valley OHT covers 78,000 people and covers from Renfrew to Deep River and out to Barry’s Bay. Dr. Richard Johnson says the Four Rivers OHT will include Arnprior as patients tend to flow towards Ottawa instead of Renfrew County.
Target areas for the Ottawa Valley OHT include aging at home, mental health and addictions services, attachment to primary care, expanding virtual and digital care and 24/7 navigation of supports.
The Ottawa Valley OHT will focus on three population groups in the first year of operation including frail seniors, individuals experiencing mental health and addictions concerns and attachment to primary care.
Bonnechere Valley Mayor Jennifer Murphy says she is thrilled to see mental health and addiction as a priority in year one.
Dr. Declan Rowan says the goal is to provide great primary care for everyone.
Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet hopes the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (VTAC) remains in place and says it’s been an excellent initiative and would not want to see that lost.
The team of doctors that presented to the County of Renfrew indicated it would take about five to ten years for the Ontario Health Teams to fully mature and say they are in year one right now.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
