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.
BAOHT visits Georgian Mall during March Break
Pictured: (From left to right) BAOHT Operations Team members Melissa Keown, Kaylee MacMillan and Lisa Rhodenizer.
On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the Barrie and Area OHT hosted a community information booth at Georgian Mall to promote Health Care Connect. The team shared information about local options for care when a family doctor or nurse practitioner is not immediately available, including walk-in clinics, urgent care and other community services. These conversations helped ensure that residents left with a clear understanding of how to navigate the system while they wait to be attached to primary care.
Nearly 10,000 residents attached to Primary Care through BAOHT Supported Attachment initiative
In October 2025, Ontario Health provided funding to support Supported Attachment programs aimed at reducing the Health Care Connect (HCC) waitlist and improving access to primary care. The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT), in partnership with its Primary Care Network, implemented a locally informed model supporting 14 physicians—both established and new to the community—in expanding capacity and accepting new patients. As a result, nearly 10,000 previously unattached residents have been connected to primary care. With additional provider capacity still available and new physicians expected to join, BAOHT continues to make strong progress. More recently, the BAOHT PCN had the opportunity to share these successes with provincial partners, including Dr. Jane Philpott.
Save the date: Creating Connections – in-person Partnership Collaborative event May 6
All BAOHT partners are invited to attend the upcoming Creating Connections – BAOHT Partnership Collaborative, an in-person session focused on strengthening relationships, sharing updates and advancing coordinated, patient-centred care across Barrie and area. This collaborative event will provide an opportunity to connect with system partners, explore opportunities to improve access and communication across sectors and support ongoing Ontario Health Team priorities. Registration opens soon, until then save the date for May 6, 2026!
Update: Long Term Care Demonstration Project
Funding for RVH’s Long Term Care (LTC) Navigator position and transportation to diagnostic imaging will end on March 31, 2026. For the time being, all pathways will be paused. The Barrie and Area OHT is meeting to determine if any parts of the three pathways (diagnostic imaging, urgent blood draws and IV Supports) can be sustained without the LTC Navigator. This project has yielded great successes, including stronger relationships with long-term care homes, reduced emergency department visits and reduced inpatient days. The BAOHT will continue to advocate for sustained funding at this time. Thank you to everyone who was involved along the way in planning and implementing these pathways, we truly appreciate the collaboration among partners.
Sharing on behalf of Ontario Health Central Region
Central Intake expansion in Central Region
Ontario Health has provided an update on the continued rollout of Central Intake across the Central Region, a model designed to create a single point of access for referrals and improve how patients are connected to care. By streamlining referral pathways, reducing duplication and enhancing coordination between providers and specialists, Central Intake is helping improve efficiency and access across the system. Currently, Orthopedics (musculoskeletal referrals) are live through the Regional Central Intake Hub using Ocean eReferral, with additional pathways in development including: Mental Health and Addictions, Diagnostic Imaging (CT/MRI) and Cataracts. As this work progresses, partners are encouraged to stay informed, support eReferral adoption and share updates within their teams to help advance more coordinated, timely care across the region.
Sharing on behalf of Hospice Simcoe-Seasons Centre
Street Health Symposium – April 2, 2026
Partners are invited to attend the upcoming Street Health Symposium #2, taking place on April 2, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Barrie, hosted by Hospice Simcoe – Seasons Centre. This full-day symposium will bring together health care providers, community organizations and social service partners to explore approaches to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and complex health and social needs.
The event will provide an opportunity to learn from guest speakers, share local experiences and discuss collaborative strategies to improve access to care for vulnerable populations across our region. Sessions will focus on the intersection of health, housing, mental health, and community supports, with an emphasis on partnership and coordinated care.
Partners interested in attending can find additional details and registration information here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/street-health-symposium–2
Sharing on behalf of New Path Youth and Family Services
Create, Connect & Learn: Free commUNITY Art for Children’s Mental Health Week
Support the upcoming commUNITY art project workshops: a collaborative initiative led by New Path Youth and Family Services and the MacLaren Art Centre, with additional sessions hosted at the Barrie Public Library. These free, hands-on workshops offer a range of opportunities for both families and youth to engage in creative expression, exploring themes of community, hope, growth and wellness.
• April 11, 2026 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) – Family/Youth Workshop (Ages 6+), Barrie Public Library – Painswick Branch
https://barrielibrary.libnet.info/event/15579049
• April 14, 2026 (4 p.m. – 6 p.m.) – Youth Workshop (Ages 13–18), MacLaren Art Centre
https://maclarenart.com/product/community-youth-workshop/
• April 18, 2026 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) – Family/Youth Workshop (Ages 6+), Barrie Public Library – Downtown Branch
https://barrielibrary.libnet.info/event/15529585
Thanks for joining us: GNPLC Virtual Speaker Series
This March, the Georgian Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (GNPLC), in partnership with the Barrie and Area OHT, hosted a two-part series that brought together primary care nurses for engaging discussions focused on leadership, advocacy, social media and the future of nursing. With strong attendance at both sessions, participants heard from outstanding speakers Mary Ghazarian, MN, NP-PHC, who shared insights on professional influence and leadership in nursing and Amie Archibald-Varley, RN, who delivered a powerful presentation on advocacy, mental health and using social media as a tool to promote change. We look forward to revisiting this series in the Winter 2027 season.
Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month Event – April 25
Limb Loss Connection is hosting A Celebration of Amputees on Friday, April 25, 2026, from 4:30 – 8 p.m. at the Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, 525 Bay Street, Toronto.
This community-focused event will bring together individuals with limb loss or limb difference, families, health care professionals and supporters for an evening of connection, learning and awareness. The program will feature live acoustic music, guest speakers, opportunities to network and shared stories highlighting resilience and lived experience.
The CN Tower will also be lit orange in recognition of the month and to help raise awareness across the province. Additional event details and tickets are available at: https://limblossconnection.com/events/.