| | | |

FAMILY HEALTH TEAMS IN MUSKOKA

In less than two years, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has approved the establishment of 150 Family Health Teams (FHT) across the province, all of which are in various stages of development.

Three FHTs have been approved for the catchment area served by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, including the Burk's Falls and District FHT, which will serve the East Parry Sound region, Cottage Country FHT, which will serve the Bracebridge and Gravenhurst areas and the Algonquin FHT, which is already operational in Huntsville.

The Algonquin Family Health Team (AFHT) is an interdisciplinary team of family physicians working with nurses, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians and other health care providers. We provide a full-range of primary health care services with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention and chronic disease management to meet the needs of our patients in the Huntsville area. A unique aspect of the Algonquin FHT is the Geriatric Care Team and the Palliative Care Team.

In addition to a wide range of primary health care services, the FHT improves access to primary health care and care co-ordination by linking patients to other agencies, programs and other parts of the health care system. The patient is a key member of the team in using information to make informed decisions about her/his self-care needs. Information technology and electronic records ensure timely access and communication to test results and other health data.

Family Health Teams are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as part of the transformation of Ontario's health care system. For more information on Family Health Teams, visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's website at www.health.gov.on.ca/familyhealthteams.