The County of Renfrew hosts roundtable seeking collaboration
RENFREW COUNTY — On Thursday, August 8 more than 25 primary health-care service leaders and elected officials from across Renfrew County came together for a roundtable meeting hosted by the County of Renfrew at Bonnechere Manor Long-Term Care Home.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring the four Ontario Health Team applicants in our region together to present on their individual applications and to explore the possibility of forming a collaborative between the applicants. The focus of such collaboration would also be an opportunity for elected officials to support the advancement of applications that ensure a strong health service delivery model for all of Renfrew County that is patient centered and would provide needed services to the whole community.
“Today was an opportunity for this group to lead the way, to set an example of patient first primary care that our residents and our province can hold high and be proud of,” said Jennifer Murphy, Warden of the County of Renfrew. “It is my hope that these organizations along with the County of Renfrew will strongly consider establishing a collaboration forum to ensure that we continue to support our whole community in the delivery of rural and locally focused health care. I look forward to continuing the dialogue and supporting the applicants on a collaborative approach.”
Chair of the County of Renfrew Health Committee and the Provincial Modernization Ad Hoc Committee, Michael Donohue shared this comment; “Today’s discussion was to explore the potential to pool our efforts, successes and ideas to create an opportunity that supports the efforts of our community in the application process and ultimately creates services tailored to our community’s rural needs.”
“As municipal elected officials, we represent the individual and collective interests of our constituents, across all municipalities in Renfrew County. Health Care is of primary concern to our residents. We believe that a collaborative approach to health service delivery across Renfrew County improves patient experience and strengthens our community as a whole.”
As the meeting concluded, the group indicated an interest to move ahead towards a second meeting once each of the applicants have had time to consult further with their Ministry of Health contacts on their applications. Overall, the impression was that the applicants are seeking some form of collaboration and appreciated the opportunity to come together in one room to discuss patient centered health care in Renfrew County.
