BAOHT Partner Bulletin

As we wrap up 2025, we wanted to take a moment to thank the community for your unwavering dedication and partnership. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with health, happiness and continued success.

Yours truly, The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team

BAOHT Weekend Cold and Flu Clinic at RVH Opening Soon

The BAOHT Primary Care Network (PCN), in collaboration with RVH, is launching a weekend cold and flu clinic to support our community during peak respiratory illness season.

From December 27, 2025 to March 29, 2026, the clinic will operate Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., a time when few other health care options are available.

Located at RVH, the clinic will be staffed by local primary care physicians and dedicated to patients with cough, cold and flu-like symptoms. A separate online registration link, distinct from the standard Pink Zone registration, will be shared once available.

This initiative aims to reduce pressure on the RVH Emergency Department while improving timely access to care for our community.

 

Introducing the Follow-up Care Clinic

The BAOHT, in partnership with the Huronia Urgent Care Centre (HUCC) and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), is launching a nurse practitioner-led, referral-based clinic for unattached patients discharged from the HUCC or RVH’s Emergency Department. The BAOHT Follow-up Care Clinic at the HUCC will support patients with new diagnoses of diabetes or hypertension, as well as those requiring follow-up for incidental findings.

The goal?

• Enhance access, coordination and chronic disease management
• Reduce repeat ED or HUCC visits
• Stabilize patients’ health so they are better prepared to attach to a permanent primary care provider

Opening January 2026

 

Patient’s hospital stay shortened thanks to new pathway for LTC home residents

The Long-Term Care Home IV Supports Working Group developed a comprehensive pathway to enhance IV therapy capacity within long-term care (LTC) homes. The goal is to equip homes with the skills, tools and resources needed to manage IV therapies on-site, shortening the patient’s hospital stay. This pathway launched in September of 2025 but due to referral criteria the first eligible patient went through the pathway in December of 2025.

Strong support from Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s (RVH) Long-term Care Home Navigator and the Nurse Led Outreach Team ensured a successful transition of the resident back home. For the first patient there was a savings of six days in hospital.

There were a number of partners involved in making this pathway a success.  Thank you to RVH, Victoria Village, Roberta Place, County of Simcoe’s Community Paramedicine Program, SilverFox Pharmacy.

 

BAOHT Submits Three Proposals to Expand Primary Care Access Across the Region

The Barrie and Area OHT in collaboration with the Barrie Community Health Centre (BCHC) and the Barrie and Community Family Health Team (BCFHT) have submitted three primary care expansion proposals under the provincial 2026–2027 IPCT funding call. Together, these proposals aim to attach nearly 19,300 residents to ongoing primary care through new satellite sites in North Barrie, Angus and South Barrie.

1. North Barrie (BCHC Lead)
   A new satellite site serving L4M, L9X, L0L would bring interprofessional, team-based care to 8,325 people, with operations expected to begin in April 2026.
2. Angus (BCHC Lead)
   A satellite clinic serving L0M, L3W, L9R would attach 4,475 residents, with operations expected to begin May 2026.
3. South Barrie (BCFHT Lead)
   A Nurse Practitioner-led satellite serving L4N and L4M would provide attachment for 6,440 residents, beginning operations in May 2026.

Thank you to the BCHC and BCFHT for their leadership on submitting these proposals. Ontario Health expects to share the outcomes of all proposals in Spring 2026.

 

2025 PCN Engagement Event: Menopause, Perimenopause & Hypertension

On December 3, the BAOHT hosted its bi-annual PCN Enabling Integrated Care Event, bringing together local primary care providers for an evening of networking and presentations on local topics in primary care. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, we look forward to the next event in May. Registration details will be shared with Primary Care providers through the Primary Care Network.

 

 

PCN Event Presenters Dr. Josh Manolakos, Dr. Jaco Scheeres (left) and Dr. Ashley MacDonald (right)

 

Integrated Care Action Summit 2025

The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team was proud to join partners and fellow OHTs from across the province for the first time at the 2025 Integrated Care Action Summit. With a focus on primary care, the conversations throughout the summit highlighted the creativity, commitment and innovation seen from OHTs and their partners.

Photos courtesy of The Davis Pier Team

 

Axe the Fax: eReferral Onboarding Begins for BAOHT Primary Care

Ocean has been confirmed as the vendor of record for the Barrie and Area OHT—a platform already used by many local practices. Partners are encouraged to watch for onboarding emails from Ontario Health beginning this week. For questions, contact Larry Villemaire, IT Manager & Privacy Officer, Barrie & Community Family Health Team.

 

BAOHT Resources for Patients

Help us amplify these tools and ensure community members know where to go for support. Partners play an essential role in spreading awareness—your networks, clinics, and social channels help patients access the right care at the right time.

How You Can Help Share These Resources:

• Post or repost BAOHT content on your organization’s social media channels
• Add links to your website, patient portals or email newsletters
• Print and display materials in waiting rooms, reception areas and community spaces

Patient Resources:

• BAOHT Navigation Guide
  A clear, step-by-step overview of how to access health and social services across our region.
  Visit: baoht.ca/guide

• Where to Go if You Feel Unwell
  Guidance to help patients understand the best place to seek care—primary care, urgent care, virtual urgent care or emergency services.
  Visit: baoht.ca/unwell
• Simcoe Muskoka Cancer Screening Hotline
  A printable, visual tool to encourage routine screening and boost program awareness.
  Poster Link: [Download here]

Postcard Link: [Download here]

• Cervical Screening and HPV Protection for First Nations People

A patient-friendly and culturally relevant brochure outlining available screening programs and how to get started.
Brochure Link: [Download here]

Poster Link: [Download here]

 

Sharing on behalf of the Osteoporosis Canada

FFN Orthogeriatric Care Education: Delirium – Think. Notice. Act.

The Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) is offering a free orthogeriatric care education webinar series on delirium: “Delirium: Think. Notice. Act.”

The series:

• Starts January 2026 and focuses on recognizing, preventing, and managing delirium in older adults
• Is designed in four webinars for clinicians caring for patients with frailty and fractures
• Includes 90-minute focused webinars offered at different times to accommodate global audiences

This is an incredible opportunity for teams working in acute care, rehabilitation, long-term care and community settings.

Sign up by clicking the registration link here.

To learn more about the FFN Regional Congresses 2026, click here.

 

Sharing on behalf of the Central East Stroke Network (CESN)

CESN December 2025 Education Opportunities

The Central East Stroke Network (CESN) has released its December 2025 Monthly Update, highlighting an upcoming stroke education event:

Return to Vocations After Stroke Webinar – January 16, 2025

• Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. (virtual)
• Audience: All health care providers, with a focus on rehabilitation professionals supporting return-to-work planning
• Register here

CESN has also released a new update to the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Rehabilitation, Recovery and Community Participation following Stroke (7th edition), along with companion tools and resources.

 

Barrie Community Health Centre – Monthly Workshops & Events

Free programs open to all community members

Location: 490 Huronia Road, Barrie (behind the Urgent Care building)

The Barrie Community Health Centre is offering a variety of no-cost workshops and social programs to support mental health, family well-being and community connection. Partners are encouraged to share these opportunities with patients and families.

January

• Expressive Arts Circle – Thurs Jan 8, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
• Vision Board Workshop – Thurs Jan 22, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
• Parenting It Through Together (0–18 months) – Tues Jan 27, 1:30–3:30 p.m.

To register:
705-734-9690 ext. 241
connectbchc.ca

Poster Link: [Download here]

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