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.

Barrie selected for HART Hub to support Mental Health and Addictions recovery

Exciting news for our community! Barrie has been selected as a location for a HART (Homelessness and Addictions Recovery Treatment) Hub, providing much-needed mental health and addictions treatment services. The announcement was made on January 28 with MPPs, local government officials and community partners in attendance to celebrate this important milestone.

Being selected as a HART Hub location is a testament to the strength of our local partnerships and the need for enhanced supports in our region.

Thank you to the primary partners involved, including: Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and Barrie Cares.

We’re excited to keep working alongside our amazing partners and community members to bring more accessible, compassionate care to those who need it most.

Ontario investing over $1.8 billion to connect every person in Ontario to family doctor and primary care team
Sharing from the Government of Ontario Newsroom

The Ontario government is investing $1.8 billion to connect two million more people to a publicly funded family doctor or primary care team within four years, which will achieve the government’s goal of connecting everyone in the province to a family doctor or primary care team.

Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team, led by Dr. Jane Philpott, will use the government’s historic investment to implement its action plan to build a primary care system that draws on best-in-class models from across the province and connects everyone to a family doctor or primary care team. Interprofessional primary care teams are made up of a family physician or nurse practitioner and other health care professionals such as nurses, physician assistants, social workers, dieticians and more.

To read the full announcement, click here.

For the memo from Ontario Health on how OHTs will support the Primary Care Action Team, click here

Ontario expanding access to palliative care in Barrie

Sharing on behalf of Hospice Simcoe – Seasons Centre

The Ontario government is connecting more people in the Barrie to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care, close to their community and loved ones by adding two new hospice beds at Hospice Simcoe.

Once opened, these new adult hospice beds will bring the total number of beds at Hospice Simcoe to 12.

As a next step, the ministry is working with Hospice Simcoe – Seasons Centre to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed.

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CANImmunize tool helps families stay on track with immunizations

Sharing on behalf of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is thrilled to share a convenient solution to keep kids’ vaccinations up to date. You can now report your child’s routine immunizations quickly and securely using the CANImmunize mobile app. This secure, easy-to-use app allows you to update your child’s vaccination records anytime, right from your phone—no paperwork or extra calls required. Let’s work together to keep our community healthy and protected.

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SMDHU announces retirement of Dr. Charles Gardner
Sharing on behalf of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Board of Health has announced that Dr. Charles Gardner, Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and Chief Executive Officer, will be retiring on September 30, 2025, concluding a remarkable career in public health that spans more than two decades. Dr. Gardner has served as MOH for Simcoe Muskoka since 2005, following a seven-year tenure in the same role with the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit. His career began with general medical practice in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Zimbabwe.

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Equity Inclusion Diversity & Anti-Racism (EIDA-R) Working Group Education Spotlight

Each month, we will spotlight a specific equity-deserving population and share educational resources to support them.

As the dead of winter approaches in January, it is significant to note that some newcomers and refugees may not have experienced a Canadian winter before and may need help adjusting and navigating resources.

The EIDAR Working Group has put together resources and learning opportunities that you can share with your team related to supporting newcomers and refugees. To view the list of resources, visit the Provider Resource page on our website.

Shape the future of Research at RVH | Research & Beyond Survey 2025-2030

Sharing on behalf of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH)

RVH is developing a 5-year research plan to help us guide research activities in our area, and your input as a community partner is vital.

Complete the 5-10 min survey and be entered for a chance to win a $100 Indigo gift card. Please feel free to share this email with your colleagues. The survey ends TOMORROW (January 31, 2025).

Click here to share your thoughts about research at RVH

Community Events

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