Ontario Health Teams
The Government of Ontario defines Ontario Health Teams as “a new way of organizing and delivering care that is more connected to patients in their local communities.
Under Ontario Health Teams, health care providers (including hospitals, doctors and home and community care providers) work as one coordinated team – no matter where they provide care.”
The IPHCC is working with its members to ensure Indigenous inclusion and engagement in this process, and where suitable, Indigenous-led local or regional OHT models.
The IPHCC was tasked with developing education and training for all Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) and providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to meaningfully engage and include Indigenous organizations and communities in the planning, design, delivery, and evaluation of health services.
Training was provided in the form of a Webinar series which covered the foundations of Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS), traditional healing and wholistic health, and using culturally safe practices to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities. The three Webinars were delivered on September 22, 2022, November 24, 2022, and February 9, 2023.
On August 16, 2023, an informative session was conducted for OHT Teams regarding the Indigenous Cultural Safety Training & Tools offered by the IPHCC. This webinar marks the first instalment of a comprehensive three-part series.