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.
Together, we’ll build a healthier community.
The wait is over: New providers available in our area
We have incredible news — the pre-January 2025 Health Care Connect (HCC) waitlist of over 7,500 residents been cleared, thanks to the strong collaboration of our Primary Care Network, Ontario Health atHome care connectors and primary care partners.
Our focus has now shifted to the 3,000 residents currently on the HCC list, with capacity to attach thousands more patients over the coming year. With new providers accepting patients and spots filling quickly, now is the time for unattached residents to register with Health Care Connect—the fastest and simplest way to get connected to primary care.
Partners are encouraged to help spread the word using the attached media kit including content for social media, print, newsletters and more! The key message for residents is simple: if you don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, now is the time to register with Health Care Connect.
To support people who are interested in registering, the BAOHT has created a webpage outlining how to register for HCC, who is eligible and what information is required to join.
Click here to download the BAOHT HCC Media Kit
Thank you for your continued support in helping connect more people in our community to primary care.
Supportive Attachment Funding to help connect more residents to Primary Care
Following the release of Ontario Health’s Supportive Attachment guidance, the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT), in partnership with its Primary Care Network, has developed a local model to support providers accepting new patients from the Health Care Connect list. Through $340,040 in provincial funding, BAOHT will help offset clinical staffing costs for participating providers, supporting the attachment of up to 1,000 patients per provider by March 25, 2026. This initiative aims to ease onboarding, strengthen timely access to care, and ensure more residents are connected to primary care when they need it most.
BAOHT Cervical Cancer Screening Clinics Open in February
The BAOHT is running three cervical cancer screening clinics for individuals aged 25–69 who have not had a routine Pap test in the past three years. Screenings will be performed by a female health care provider and are by appointment only. Appointments are filling quickly so don’t wait to book.
Weekend Cold & Flu Clinic opens at RVH to support surge
To help ease pressure on emergency services during peak cold and flu season, the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT), in partnership with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), is operating a Weekend Cold & Flu Clinic at RVH.
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Provides assessment and treatment for cough, cold and flu-like symptoms
Located in a designated area of RVH’s Emergency Department
Keeps emergency resources available for urgent needs
This initiative helps ensure patients receive the right care at the right time.
Residents are encouraged to explore all care options and find timely support at baoht.ca/unwell.
Hospice Simcoe hosts Palliative Care Planning Day
On January 27, 2026, a Street Health Mapping Event was held at Traditions Banquet Hall, bringing together key stakeholders from the Barrie Housing Sector and Health Care Sector to strategize the sustainability of the Ontario Health-funded Palliative Care Clinical Coach project. Some of the organizations represented included Ontario Health, Hospice Simcoe, the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT), the Barrie and Area Native Advisory Council (BANAC), Simcoe County Community Paramedicine, the Assertive Street Outreach Community of Practice, the Busby Centre and Compassionate Care Without Barriers. The gathering focused on leveraging existing strengths and resources through an Appreciative Inquiry process, aiming to create more streamlined pathways and collaborative care for vulnerable populations in Barrie.
Sharing on behalf of the Ontario Caregiver Organization
Recognizing caregivers as essential care partners
Pictured above: Staff from OCO provide education session on caregiver burnout to RVH staff (Photo provided by RVH)
Clinicians understand that caregivers are key to improving patient health outcomes and transitions. But many feel ill-equipped to connect them to the support they need. That’s why clinicians and leaders from RVH teamed up with Ontario Caregiver Organization and North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatrics Services for a hands-on workshop to help recognize, include, and uplift caregivers as care partners.
Part of a region-wide initiative to support those most at risk of delayed transitions in care earlier, the interactive session equipped clinicians with practical tools, strategies, and evidence-informed approaches to better recognize and support the critical role of care partners.
“The Spotlight Report on Caregiving is alarming, with 69% of caregivers feeling so burnt out they are not sure how they will continue. But support is available. The Ontario Caregiver Organization has been instrumental in advancing initiatives across the region. Early identification does make a difference,” said Heather McDonald, Project Lead at NSM SGS. “I am grateful for Rebecca Barney and Tanya Young’s leadership on this important initiative and to the skilled clinicians who are committed to quality improvement and took time to participate.”
“When people don’t see themselves as caregivers, they’re unlikely to seek support, making early identification critical to preventing burnout. At the same time, clinicians are navigating extraordinary pressures while delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Today’s goal was to remind clinicians they’re not alone and to equip them with simple, practical strategies to support caregivers. OCO is here to help.” Lisa Raffoul, Implementation Lead with the Ontario Caregiver Organization’s Essential Care Partner Support Hub.
To learn more about the Ontario Caregiver Organization: https://ontariocaregiver.ca/.
GNPLC presents Virtual Speaker Series: Leadership, Advocacy & the Future of Nursing
BAOHT is proud to partner with the Georgian Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (GNPLC) to provide a free virtual speaker series for nurses in primary care, spotlighting nursing leadership, advocacy and wellbeing. Join nationally- recognized speakers Mary Ghazarian, MN, NP-PHC (March 5) and Amie Archibald-Varley, RN (March 26) for engaging discussions on professional influence, mental health, health equity, and the future of health care.
We encourage partners to share this opportunity with Primary Care Nurses (RNs, NPs, RPNs) in your networks.
Registration links:
March 5 – Mary Ghazarian, MN, NP-PHC 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.:
Register HereMarch 26 – Amie Archibald-Varley, RN 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.:
Register Here
Sharing on behalf of the County of Simcoe
10 years of the #ITSTARTS Campaign
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the #ITSTARTS Campaign, a community-driven initiative focused on reducing stigma and promoting mental health and well-being. Over the past decade, the campaign has encouraged open conversations, strengthened partnerships, and supported individuals to seek help earlier. Thank you to all partners who continue to champion mental health awareness in our communities.
Sharing on behalf of North Simcoe Muskoka Acquired Brain Injury Collaborative
Register now: 16th Annual NSM Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Collaborative Conference
Partners are invited to attend the 16th Annual NSM ABI Collaborative Conference, bringing together health system leaders to strengthen integration and advance coordinated, person-centred ABI care.
Event details:
• Date: March 26, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)
• Location: Hawk Ridge Golf Club, Orillia
• Registration Fee: $25
• Deadline: March 9, 2026
Sessions will explore foundational and emerging ABI strategies, best practice implementation across care settings, neurotrauma care pathways, and opportunities for cross-system collaboration.
Sharing on behalf of Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Central North
You’re invited: OSP Information Session for Healthcare Providers
Health care providers are invited to attend an upcoming Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Information Session to learn more about how the program works and who it serves.
This free, online session will cover: In scope mental health problems, client eligibility guidelines, treatments offered through OSP and Exclusionary criteria
Date: March 6, 2026
Time: 12–1 p.m.
Format: Online
Register here: https://redcap.link/OSPinfoevent
Whether you’re new to OSP or looking to refresh your knowledge, this session will help you better understand referral pathways and treatment options available to support your clients. We encourage all interested providers to register and attend.
