Provider FAQs

What is an Ontario Health Team?

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care have announced a new vision for health care in Ontario. Their goal is to create a health care system that includes more integrated care, improved client/patient and service provider experience, an end to hallway medicine in hospitals and improved access to digital tools and virtual care. A key element of their strategy involves setting up Ontario Health Teams (OHTs), which the government has defined as groups of care providers and organizations that are clinically and financially accountable for delivering a full and coordinated continuum of care to a defined geographic population. Or, put another way, an OHT is a team of care providers working together to deliver integrated care to people who access services in their community.

Currently, 57 Ontario Health Teams (OHTs), including the West Toronto Ontario Health Team (WTOHT), have been approved and are already seeing success in more efficient hospital-to-home transitions, strengthened primary care foundations, improved digital health and virtual care access, as well as more meaningful partnerships and engagement with patients, families, and caregivers.



What role does healthcare providers play in decision-making within their OHT?

OHTs are designed to be collaborative networks that bring together a range of healthcare providers and organizations to work collectively on improving patient care and outcomes. At the West Toronto Ontario Health Team (WTOHT), representatives from member organizations make up the Steering Committee - the OHTs collaborative decision-making body. Physicians play an active role in our working groups providing valuable insight and expertise in the OHTs initiatives. Additionally, our West Toronto Primary Care Network (WT-PCN) brings together family physicians and primary care providers in West Toronto to lead and co-design healthcare delivery in the area.


What are the key priorities for the West Toronto OHT?

Priority populations:  

  • High priority neighbourhoods (Weston-Mount Dennis, Rockcliffe Smythe, South Parkdale and New Toronto) 

  • Older adults 

  • Individuals managing mental health and addictions 

  • Individuals living with chronic illnesses 

Is there a governance and fiscal structure?

Yes. In the OHT model there is shared clinical and fiscal accountability such that collective resources (including leadership, front-line providers, funding, etc.) will be collaboratively directed to improve the health of the population of our community.


Will this impact our funding?

No specific details on funding have been provided by the Ministry on funding. We do know that there will be no changes to funding agreements within primary care – existing agreements will remain in place.