Central West LHIN Equity Initiatives in 2010-2013 IHSP

It’s About You and Your Health

• Go to Central West LHIN website
• Download Central West LHIN 2010-2013 IHSP
• See a snapshot from Central West LHIN’s previous IHSP

The Central West LHIN IHSP-2 aligns with the MOHLTC’s priorities to promote equitable access to health and health care for all Ontarians.

• CW’s first IHSP had 5 guiding principles for integrated service delivery, including equitable access
• CW LHIN Vision: “we have a vision for a health system that promotes equity” (p.7)
• Meeting the unique needs of ethno-cultural communities and our French and Aboriginal communities is a foundation of the IHSP which includes the grounding principles of equity of access

Aging-at-Home Strategy

• The CW LHIN piloted a decision-setting framework to evaluate aging-at-home initiatives
• One of the key concepts was looking at how they improve equity of access
• The strategic priorities are built on the concept of health equity
• The aging-at-home strategy addresses the specific and unique population health needs heard in our community engagement strategies

Implementing the Health System Plan: Diversity and Equity

• The CW LHIN has a vision for a health system that values ethno-cultural diversity and works to improve access for all residents of the Central West LHIN to culturally competent health services
• CW LHIN’s “rich diversity” requires health services designed to be sensitive to language barriers, respect cultural beliefs, and targeted to prevent and treat diseases frequently seen in these populations
• Health services need to promote health equity to all residents of the LHIN regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-demographic characteristics, education, religious, language, sexual orientation, or any other factors
• A key outcome will be an increase in the number of culturally competent health service providers

Key Priority

• Vision: a health system that values ethno-cultural diversity and works to improve access for all residents of the CW LHIN to culturally competent health services

Actions

1. Align strategies to meet the needs of the diverse ethno-cultural population
2. Include a requirement for the development of a Health Equity Plan as part of each health service provider’s accountability agreement
3. Continue research with York University’s Institute for Health Research on issues of health and ethno-cultural diversity

Measures

• Key outcome: when access to care mirrors the profile of the local population
• Increase the number of culturally competent health services available that are designed to meet specific needs of the LHIN’s diverse communities