BAOHT Partner Bulletin

Stay informed and connected with us! Committed to supporting patients, families, caregivers, and health partners, we provide the latest insights, resources, and community highlights.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team is deeply committed to advancing Indigenous cultural safety and accountability. Guided by the recommendations from Cambium Indigenous Patient Services, we are dedicated to creating meaningful change within our OHT and among our partners.

To mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Barrie Native Friendship Centre is hosting the Sacred Fire and Sunrise Ceremony on Monday, September 30. This gathering honours all those affected by residential schools and offers a space for reflection, prayer, storytelling, and community healing. Throughout the day, various guests will join together to share their thoughts and experiences in relation to truth and reconciliation, the effects of intergenerational trauma, the resiliency and beauty of Indigenous people, and the path forward in healing together for a brighter future. For more details and the full schedule of events, click here.

Additionally, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has hosted a series of daily lunch and learn sessions throughout the week. To watch recordings of these insightful discussions, visit: https://nctr.ca/education/coming-soon-truth-and-reconciliation-week-2023/ Earlier this month, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) held a formal ceremony to apologize for the harms caused by the medical profession to Indigenous Peoples. To read the full apology and their action plan, click here.

Relaunching the Long-Term Care Home Diagnostic Imaging and Supports Program

The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team has received confirmation for continued funding of supports for long-term care homes. A portion of the funding will include a relaunch of support for an RPN to assist with and coordinate access to X-ray and Ultrasound for long-term care residents.

We’re excited to welcome Maureen Pierog (pictured), Long-Term Care Home Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), to the program. Maureen’s role includes coordinating transportation, staying with the patient while at RVH, and ensuring appropriate transportation back to the home. Through its partnership with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, County of Simcoe and area LTC homes, access to this service helps keeps residents out of the emergency department, avoiding long wait times and reducing the burden on staff at the local LTC home.

Welcome new Lived Experience Partners!

ver the past few months, the Lived Experience Partners Council has welcomed four new members, bringing its total to nine Lived Experience Partners! With this addition, we have successfully completed our latest recruitment campaign.

Our Lived Experience Partners play a vital role in shaping the direction of the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT). Over the past year, they have actively contributed to five different working groups, provided critical guidance on key OHT deliverables, and participated in community engagement events. Their involvement ensures that the voices and perspectives of those with lived experience remain central to our decision-making and strategy. In the weeks ahead, we will continue working closely with our new Lived Experience Partners to ensure representation across all working groups and project teams that do not yet have their valuable input. Their voice is essential in helping us build a health care system that is safe, accessible and inclusive of our community.

Let’s Have Lunch!

Join the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT) for an informal lunch and conversation with leaders and frontline staff from your organization. This is a great opportunity for your team members to learn more about the BAOHT’s current initiatives, ask questions and engage in an open dialogue with us—over a meal that we’ll bring!

We have sessions planned for October and November, but we’re looking for organizations interested in participating in the new year. If you’re interested in hosting a session in January, February, or March reach out today!

Community Raises Over $1,800 at New Path’s Second Annual Pride Event

Sharing on behalf of New Path Youth and Family Services of Simcoe County

Youth organizers and staff from New Path and the Gilbert Centre celebrate the receipt of over $1800 from the second annual youth-led PRIDE BBQ held at Sunnidale Park. Attendance at this year’s event increased as did the donation amount from the community. All proceeds from the event support 2S-LGBTQ+ programming at the Gilbert Centre.

Feelings Pathway for Children/Youth and Adults have gone DIGITAL!

Sharing on behalf of the Central Ontario Specialized Health (COSH) Network

For quick access to mental health and addictions services across the Simcoe and Muskoka region for both children/youth and adults, please visit 1door.ca for more information. For more information, or to receive hardcopies of posters for your organization, contact jpachis@waypointcentre.ca and donuoha@waypointcentre.ca.

Ontario connecting people in Barrie to Mobile Mental Health Services

Sharing from the Government of Ontario Newsroom

The Ontario government is investing up to $2.7 million over three years to launch a new mobile crisis response team in Barrie to make it easier and more convenient for people experiencing homelessness or mental health and addictions crisis to get the support they need. This is one of three innovative pilot programs the government is launching that use health-led mobile crisis response teams to expand access to specialized addictions care in the community, avoiding unnecessary visits to emergency departments and police involvement.

The mobile crisis response team will be called Community Alternative Response Engagement – CARE. It is expected to launch later this year and will consist of community paramedicine and mental health crisis workers that can provide immediate mental health and addictions support and options for ongoing care.

Read more.

Community Events

Check out upcoming events, awareness weeks and education opportunities designed to support health care providers, patients, families and caregivers across our community.