LHIN Is Officially Open

Steve Carmichael, President and CEO of ONTC and Marc Rancourt, Ontera President and General Manager, welcome their new tenants

The North Eastern Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) officially opened its doors Friday by hosting an open house for the public and their partners.

LHIN board members say the introduction of the LHIN is a significant change for how health care will be managed and delivered in Ontario.

Health care decisions for the North East will no longer be decided in Toronto. Instead, stakeholders in the region will work collaboratively to address the needs of the North.

The LHIN, along with the stakeholders, will address the unique issues of the Northeast, such as diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers to name a few.

Mathilde Gravelle Bazinet, Board Chair North East Local Health Integration Network, says the role of the LHIN board, which will be made up of nine board directors, is to provide an ‘Integrated Health Service Plan’ for all of North Eastern Ontario. Then they will present that plan, first to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and then the government, ensuring the special needs of the North are addressed.

Bazinet says the North East LHIN board has done its homework, studied the issues their counterparts have had in other provinces, and promised they will not make the same mistakes.

The LHIN is located on the third floor of the ONTC Headquarters at 555 Oak Street East. Steve Carmichael, President and CEO of Ontario Northland said the LHIN is a welcomed tenant.

A Revolution In Health Care