Policy Challenge Papers

This short paper by Bob Gardner (2006) proposes four directions for provincial government policy that would begin to address health inequities and the broad social determinants of health.

Written as a type of planning checklist for Ontario's LHINs (2006), this paper by Bob Gardner sets out critical success factors for developing responsive and effective community engagement. 

Directions and options for LHINS to continue to build relationships with their communities and involve consumers and service providers.

The Wellesley was asked to follow-up our brief with research on the impact of the split purchaser-provider model used in the U.K. In this model the government purchases services from a wide range of providers through competitive bidding; there is extensive for-profit provision. This memo provides references and links to additional resources from the UK on this issue.

This paper argues that the LHINs, under the right circumstances, have significant potential to provide more integrated and community-driven health care planning and delivery.

This paper provides a detailed background on the LHINs initiative, including: lessons for Ontario the experiences of other provinces with regional planning and delivery; analysis of key challenges and opportunities the initiative will face; policy directions and alternatives that can achieve an integrated and equitable health care system.

The analysis and recommendations of this paper are summarized in Local Integrated Health Networks: Potential, Challenges, and Policy Directions: Summary Report.

What might be productive directions to incorporate social determinants of health into provincial policy and strategy? This paper outlines four preliminary possibilities.