Year One Population Priorities

The Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team has a successful track record of community partnership. Using this history, we’ve designated two specific year-1 populations for which to improve and enhance care across the healthcare continuum.

1. Transforming Care for Seniors Population (55+)

Seniors aged 55+ account for approximately 35% of the health team’s population. Healthcare-based services will be grounded in the social-determinants of health (eg. diabetes, COPD, etc). Earlier focus on seniors and their health eases the burden of their care journey by ensuring they receive care sooner.

Emergency Departments, inpatient, and outpatient services see high volumes of seniors with chronic conditions. The health team is focusing on leveraging primary and community care for this population.

2. Advancing Transitional Age Youth Mental Health & Addiction Services

The health team will focus on early intervention of youth mental health and addictions concerns. There is a heavy reliance on hospital care currently, however, community based programs are shown to best support early onset of symptoms.

A one-step, youth centric site (ACCESS Open Minds) will be created to meet the mental and physical healthcare and psycho-social needs of the youth population that are often difficult to navigate individually. There will be a focus on anxiety, stress management, adjustment disorders, and addictions.