Links
http://torontocentrallhin.on.ca
Integrated Health Service Plan (2007-2010)
Equity Highlights
The Toronto Central LHIN states that health equity is woven into everything that the LHIN does.
Health Equity Vision
- The health equity vision for the TC LHIN is “to create and sustain a healthcare system in Toronto where all have equitable access to a full range of high-quality healthcare and support, and systemic and avoidable health inequities are steadily reduced”
IHSP 2007-2010
- In the IHSP, TC LHIN recognizes that “when planning services and programs, equity of access needs to be front and centre especially given TC LHIN’s diverse population”
- New initiatives are to focus on equitable access to services for all residents of the LHIN
- In September 2007, the TC LHIN also struck a Health Inequalities Task Force
2008/09 TC LHIN Year in Review
- Health Equity is a system performance goal
- The hospital collaborative on marginalized populations designed the first hospital health equity plans
- All 18 hospitals in the TC LHIN submitted health equity plans to the LHIN
- The TC LHIN is also working with the MOHLTC and the Wellesley Institute on a Health Equity Assessment Tool
- Anticipated results include more equitable access to services in the community for those with addictions or mental health problems
- The TC LHIN has also developed an Aboriginal Diabetes Treatment Pilot (recommendations from the pilot are to be implemented in 2009/2010
- The Flemingdon CHC Initiative provided 158 South Asian seniors with diabetes-related services (like screening and culturally specific diabetes education
Health Equity Discussion Paper
- The TC LHIN’s website links to Dr. Bob Gardner’s “Health Equity Discussion Paper”
- The Paper made 12 recommendations including: (1) create a powerful equity vision, (2) set equity requirements, (3) build equity into performance management, (4) target barriers, (5) target disadvantaged populations, (6) enhance services with high equity potential, (7) build equity into key directions for health reform, (8) patient-centred care through an equity lens, (9) up-stream through an equity lens, (10) address the wider social determinants of health, (11) innovation through an equity lens and (12) making this happen
Health Equity Pilot Project(Status Update Feb 8, 2008)
- On August 29, 2007, a board motion directed council to identify 1-2 sustainable pilot projects that would reduce access barriers for populations with lower health statuses
- The goal of the pilots was improved access to health care for marginalized populations who experience barriers to care (including cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic and geographic barriers) and underserved populations such as those who are homeless or those who are uncomfortable and discouraged from using services as they exist
- Equity projects were initiated in 4 areas: (1) mental health and addictions, (2) seniors, (3) rehabilitation and (4) joint disease and health management
- Deliverables included: identification of the marginalized population to be targeted and identification of specific barriers to address (language, population, neighbourhoods)
- Identification and implementation of strategies to address barriers include training models, communication plans, project evaluations, sustainability plans and final reports
- Pilot deliverables will be incorporated into routine health service provider operations through accountability agreements
- Projected outcomes from the project included improved access to care for marginalized populations and improved awareness of marginalized populations and their access to appropriate health care
Healthy Connections 2008 – Health Equity: From Challenges to Solutions (Report of Proceedings and Outcomes)
The TC LHIN developed a mental health and addictions steering committee whose goal is to improve the accessibility and equity of mental health and addictions services