DURHAM: Ontario is delivering on its commitment to end hallway health care and build a connected and sustainable health care system centered on the needs of patients. The province is introducing Ontario Health Teams, a new model of care that brings together health care providers to work as one team. Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, was at the Grandview Children’s Centre in Oshawa to announce the Durham Ontario Health Team as one of the first 24 teams in the province to implement a new model of organizing and delivering health care that better connects patients and providers in their communities to improve patient outcomes. Through an Ontario Health Team, patients will experience easier transitions from one provider to another, including, for example, between hospitals and home care providers, with one patient story, one patient record and one care plan. “We need better connected care in Durham Region,” said Durham MPP Lindsey Park. “Today’s announcement of the Durham Ontario Health Team with 24/7 navigation and care coordination services is an important step towards that.” “This is an exciting time for health care in Ontario as we finally break down the long-standing barriers that have prevented care providers from working directly with each other to support patients throughout their health care journey,” said Elliott. “Together with our health care partners, the Durham Ontario Health Team will play an essential role in delivering on our commitment to end hallway health care and building a connected and sustainable public health care system centered on the needs of patients.” The Durham Ontario Health Team will begin implementing some of their proposed programs and services in 2020 and will communicate with patients and families about the changes and improvements they can expect in their community.