Links
http://www.centralwestlhin.on.ca
Diversity and Inclusivity Workshop
Responsiveness to Cultural Diversity: Building Equity In Health Services
Diversity Core Action Group Terms of Reference
Equity Highlights
- Responsiveness to cultural diversity is a key health service priority for the Central West LHIN
- Central West LHIN developed an Action Plan for Culturally Relevant Health Care Services which includes integrating diversity into organizational culture, celebrating diverse perspectives and developing local diversity initiatives
- Promoting the local health system’s responsiveness to cultural diversity is one of the overarching priorities of the IHSP
- Another key goal is to increase connectivity across the LHIN to address the inequity of IT access and to train patients and create patient portals
Diversity and Inclusivity Workshop
- On November 8, 2007, the Central West LHIN held a Diversity and Inclusivity Workshop in Brampton with more than 125 health service providers, which focused on the theme of “Building Equity in Health Services“
- The workshop helped Central West LHIN better understand the attendees’ priorities for moving forward and where they see opportunities to collaborate on initiative to create culturally appropriate, sensitive and competent services that will ensure all residents in the LHIN have equitable access to health services
- The CW LHIN is committed to providing the necessary support and assistance to health service providers to enable them to implement organizational initiatives that will “build culturally competent health service provider organizations, eliminate health service disparities and improve access to health services for diverse communities”
Diversity Core Action Group
- The Diversity Core Action Group is mandated to assist the LHIN (1) engage ethno-cultural organizations that reflect and represent the LHIN’s diverse communities, (2) undertake appropriate local engagement strategies, (3) facilitate a compilation of a comprehensive inventory of diverse organizations, initiatives, services, education and training resources, (4) oversee the completion of a detailed needs assessment and (5) educate and train organizations about culturally competent services
- The group meets once a month and the Chair then meets with the LHIN board of directors when requested to provide updates and address issues
- The Group’s main responsibility is to design a more integrated system of services that leverages multiple providers in mutually beneficial partnerships, all focused on ensuring equitable access to patient/client and family-centred care
Health System Plan Report
- The Report focuses on “equity of access” (based on patient/client need) and cultural diversity for the LHIN’s visible minority population
- Cultural competence reduces disparities in service, addresses inequalities in access to care and services, and requires an understanding of the communities being served as well as the cultural influences on an individual’s beliefs and behaviours
- Therefore, the LHIN is increasing its emphasis on culturally competent service delivery
Aging at Home Strategy
- The Central West LHIN’s Aging at home strategy is aimed at providing seniors and thief families and caregivers with an integrated continuum of community-based services to enable them to stay healthy and live more independently in their homes. As part of the Strategy, Central West LHIN will receive $21.5 million
The Strategy is designed to provide more equitable access to health care by matching the needs of the local senior population with the appropriate support services