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We are pleased to announce that our new KL-OHT website is live! Our website has been redesigned with our community in mind and features a new service navigation platform. With this platform, you can easily search for local programs and services offered by health service providers in Kawartha Lakes and get connected to the right health support. Many of the programs and services listed feature a direct self-referral – just complete the form and a service provider will contact you directly.

This service navigation platform initially focuses on enhancing access to programs and services for adults aged 65+. We will continually add programs and services to the platform such as Mental Health and Addictions, Child and Youth Services, and Developmental Service. Our target for completion is July 1, 2023. This navigation platform also serves as a means of supporting referrals between service providers – so we can work together to ensure access to all supports and services – a "no door is the wrong door" approach.

Visit www.kawarthalakesoht.ca/find-services to view our new service navigation platform!

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Give us a call at 705-934-1439 and speak to our KL-OHT Navigator who can help connect you to the right programs and services. 

We have seen great success with our Wellness Connections Program and would like to thank all our clients that have signed up for the program and committed to creating a wellness plan to better their health. The Wellness Connections Program is an online learning platform where you can participate in learning modules, take a self-assessment, set a wellness goal for yourself, or connect to services that support your health and well-being. With the Wellness Connections Program, an iPad lending program is available as well as tech support and in-person support.

The Wellness Connections Program has evolved since it was launched in 2021 and has supported and connected many older adults in our community to vital health programs and services. To better support this growing program, we are excited to announce that our Wellness Connections Program is transitioning to Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes and it will live permanently alongside their roster of other wellness programs, such as pickleball, exercise for seniors (SAGES) and more!

Beginning April 1, 2023, Community Care will take over the Wellness Connection Program. All existing clients of the Wellness Connections Program will still be able to access their learning modules and wellness plans. The program is always accepting new clients as well!

If you would like to register for the Wellness Connections Program, contact Abby Harper, Wellness Coordinator, at 705-324-7323 Ext 165 or email info@kawarthalakesoht.ca.  

Did you know that Health Connect Ontario has undergone a name change to Health811?

Health811 can get you connected to health care 24/7 and is a way to access safe, high-quality care and avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room. This service is an easy way to get connected to care you or your loved ones need, but it does not replace your other touch point with your health care provider.

Through Health811 you can find a family doctor, get information about preventative cancer screening, find local health services, and much more!

Health811 can be reached by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or by going online at ontario.ca/Health811

Did you know that a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of colorectal cancer by up to 44 %? Canadians spend almost 10 hours a day sitting, but you can take a stand against these risks by walking or standing for a few minutes every hour. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers people die from in Ontario. However, when found early, 9 out of 10 people can be cured.

For people aged 50-74 without a family doctor, getting a colon cancer screening test is easy and can be done from the comfort of your own home. You can order the safe and painless colon cancer FIT (fecal immunochemical test) kit by calling Health811 at 811. The FIT kit is mailed to your home or address of your request and only takes a couple minutes to complete using a stool (poop) sample. You can easily return your completed FIT kit using a pre-paid mailing envelope, or you can drop it off at your nearest LifeLabs location. If you have an abnormal test result, you will be contacted to arrange a colonoscopy.

To be checked for colon cancer, speak to your primary care provider or call 811 to order your FIT kit. 

Kinmount medical centre welcomes new family doctor March 1

Recruitment committee survey identifies areas of frustration for family doctors

Unattached Patient Urgent Care Clinic Opens in Lindsay

City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team applauds funding increase by Ontario government to deliver primary care to more patients

In November of 2022, the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) released a document entitled Ontario Health Teams: The Path Forward. In this document, the MOH commended the work to date of OHTs across the province and affirmed its commitment to advancing our work. 

Of primary emphasis is the approach to equitable and standardized development approaches to the work of OHTs. We have thus received more specific direction in terms of where to focus attention in the coming year. We are pleased that this direction is very much in keeping with the tact already taken in our work to date. We will focus our work on advancing integrated care through the creation of integrated clinical pathways and standardized chronic care for congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), palliative care, and mental health and addictions. We will also continue our work on the increasing 24/7 navigation supports - the launch of our new navigation platform and website being the first step - and increasing the engagement of our community through deepening our understanding of health equity and its impact in our community.  Our goal for our community is that anyone with a chronic condition will have optimal access to supportive community resources - care teams that help with education and self-management; remote care monitoring programs to ensure that care is on track; care plans that are shared across team members regardless of the organization they work in, and a single point of contact for patients and families to raise concerns and seek advice.

I continue to be inspired by the commitment of our partners to make a difference to the health of our community and am immensely grateful for the ongoing work of our patient and family advisory committee members who are actively contributing to our work to make sure we 'get it right'!  

Stephanie MacLaren

Kawartha Lakes Ontario Health Team Executive Director