With many doctors’ offices, health service providers and walk-in clinics operating at reduced hours over the holidays, hospital emergency departments can get crowded and seeking health care at this time of year can become a frustrating experience.
Here are some tips and community resources that may help you access the care you need a little more smoothly and help you find what you are looking for over the holidays.
Protect yourself and others:
Make sure you and your loved ones are protected. Get your annual flu shot and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer regularly, especially after opening gifts or before preparing, serving and eating food.
If you are sick and experiencing any symptoms, stay home to prevent possible transmission. Events and gatherings have the potential to increase the risk of spreading viruses, especially for those who are at high-risk of severe disease and/or exposure to the flu or respiratory viruses. Follow public health guidance to protect yourself and others.
Plan ahead:
Talk about your health care needs with your care team this holiday season. Know who is available to support you and how to reach them over the holidays.
Schedule any needed medical appointments before the holidays. Some offices may be closed or have shorter hours, so make sure your appointments are booked in advance.
Don’t forget to shop for yourself:
Make sure you have a two-week supply of inhalers, oxygen, needles, glucose testing supplies or any other equipment you will need to manage your health and wellness during the holiday season.
Don’t forget to also check to see that you have enough prescription, non-prescription medication and supplies to last you and your family over the holiday season. Some pharmacies will have shorter hours, so, if you can, stock up on what you’ll need ahead of time.
Know where to go for help
If your doctor or nurse practitioners’ office is closed, find alternatives such as walk-in clinics and urgent care by using the HealthLine tool. Learn how to search your local Healthline in the video provided below.
Update your list of emergency contacts and post them in a visible place, like on the fridge. Remember to add Health811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario) at 1-866-797-0000 for free, confidential, 24-hour access to a registered nurse who will help you with health-related questions.
If you need urgent medical attention, for example, you have shortness of breath, severe chest pain or stroke symptoms, even if you are uncertain, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Holidays can be mentally tough. Take time tofind supports and put your mental health first.
Find services close to home by searching your local Healthline
Healthline is an innovative website that puts accurate and up-to-date information about health services at your fingertips. This website provides easy access to a reliable source of data and empowers you to find the services you need close to home. Thousands of service listings describe organizations and programs serving people in your area and across the province.
Learn how to navigate this easy-to-use online database in this demonstration video.
Home and Community Care Support Services is pleased to share that our second annual Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program is now live and taking submissions.
The Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program is an exciting opportunity to recognize caregivers for their extraordinary efforts and contributions that make it possible for people to live in their home and/or community, while also sharing their experiences, stories and learnings.
“In our work, we come across many incredible caregivers who deserve to be recognized for their selfless dedication to people and loved ones in their lives,” said Cynthia Martineau, Chief Executive Officer. “We know that most caregivers don’t seek out recognition for the support they provide, but do this out of compassion and love. That is why we are proud to be able to honour these amazing caregivers through our Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition program.”
How to Recognize a Caregiver
Please consider completing a submission today to help recognize a caregiver(s) who have gone above and beyond. Recognizing a caregiver is quick and easy. Simply visit our Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition page on our website for more information, including our easy to fill out submission form, recognition criteria and categories. Submissions close January 14, 2024. Visit the page for the latest information.
Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Event:
Planning for our next event is in its early stages, however, we are pleased to confirm that the event will be held on April 2, 2024, to coincide with National Caregiver Day. We look forward to sharing more details once they become available.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we look to celebrate and honour amazing caregivers across the province.
If you have any questions about the program or submission process, please contact the Community Engagement team at engagement@hccontario.ca or call 1-855-276-3096.
Various timeslots will be available to attend a short presentation to learn about our organization, available positions and hear from employees working with Home and Community Care Support Services North East about the advantages of a career with us.
Regulated Health Professionals: Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Dietitians, & Social Workers
Health Professionals: Rehabilitation Assistants, Communicative Disorders Assistants
Corporate Services & Administration Staff: Team Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Information Technology, Human Resources, Data & Financial Analyst, & Communication/ Community Engagement
WE OFFER
Attractive compensation packages and benefits
Development opportunities and a culture of support
Home and Community Care Support Services’ Chief Executive Officer receives prestigious HR award
TORONTO – September 22, 2023 – On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, members of the Home and Community Care Support Services team attended the 2023 Canadian HR Awards as an Excellence Awardee in five categories. Home and Community Care Support Services is thrilled to announce that, amongst the HR industry’s leading professionals, Chief Executive Officer Cynthia Martineau received the prestigious CPHR Canada Award for HR Champion (CEO). This award recognizes the CEO who has driven successful HR strategies by putting people first and championing innovative HR values.
Martineau joined the newly established Home and Community Care Support Services organization in December 2021. Through her exceptional commitment to investing in its people, Martineau continues to contribute to fostering a thriving workplace culture that sees Home and Community Care Support Services’ 9,000-member workforce feel valued, empowered to make decisions, motivated to grow their careers and excited to come to work and care for the people of Ontario.
“I am deeply humbled to receive this award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement; it is a testament to the dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment of Home and Community Care Support Services’ employees,” says Martineau. “Together, we have created a workplace that stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision and purpose. Thank you to the entire home care team for allowing me the incredible opportunity to lead and inspire and thank our leadership and Board of Directors for their commitment to investing in our people.”
Cynthia oversees 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations as one cohesive provincial team, bringing to life the organization’s mission of “helping everyone to be healthier at home through connected, accessible, patient-centred care.” With a strong belief in the power of people, Cynthia’s transformative leadership has paved the way for organizational growth and employee well-being. Over the course of her tenure as CEO, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to HR excellence, leveraging the team’s strengths to transform, modernize and innovate with greater efficiency and effectiveness, deliver on priorities and realize the organization’s vision of providing exceptional care for Ontarians.
“Under the leadership of our CEO Cynthia Martineau, our organization has experienced a remarkable journey towards HR excellence, fostering a thriving workplace culture and driving outstanding results,” says Home and Community Care Support Services Board Chair Joe Parker. “Facing unique challenges in recruitment and retention in the health care sector, with her visionary approach Cynthia has successfully transformed our workforce, enhanced employee engagement and positioned Human Resources as a strategic partner in our journey towards exceptional care for Ontarians.”
Grounded in its Mission, Vision and Values, and guided by its strategic priority to invest in people, Home and Community Care Support Services’ People Strategy is a road map, shaping the way the organization leads, engages and develops its people to enhance the organization. Learn more about our People Strategy.
Are you passionate about exceptional health care and driven by a desire to help others? Explore current career opportunities at Home and Community Care Support Services.
Home and Community Care Support Services is pleased to present our Annual Business Plan (2023-24), which guides our work and supports us in achieving our mission of helping everyone to be healthier at home through connected, accessible, patient-centred care.
The plan was framed by direction from the Ontario government, which set a clear and important mandate for Home and Community Care Support Services to play a pivotal leadership role in supporting the modernization of home and community care across Ontario.
Last fall, Home and Community Care Support Services reached out across the province to partners, staff and the people we serve to help determine where we should focus our collective energies and efforts for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. We engaged with more than 1,600 people, including health system partners, service provider organizations, Indigenous and Francophone health leaders, our staff and our provincial community of advisors who represent the patients, families and caregivers we serve.
Thank you to all who helped in the development of our business plan. Your voices were crucial to ensuring our proposed initiatives and objectives would improve patient outcomes and contribute to our collaborative work as a health care system.
Collectively, we heard your support for the following themes under our four main priorities:
Drive Excellence in Care Delivery:
Through collaboration with service provider organizations, increase capacity through existing models and enhance accountability
Create consistent waitlist management/service guidelines and quality/safety processes
Accelerate Innovation and Digital Delivery:
Integrate our digital home care systems in collaboration with system partners
Advance virtual options and innovative service models in collaboration with system partners
Expand Telehomecare and virtual care
Advance Health System Modernization
Enable cross sector integration, collaboration and communication, including exploring innovative models of care
Develop standardization of processes, while also ensuring equity and access for Indigenous and Francophone people
Through collaboration with partners, improve intake and discharge processes
Invest in our People
Focus on workforce stabilization and staff retention
Enhance training and development opportunities, incorporating an Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism lens
We look forward to working collaboratively with partners, patients, families and caregivers to implement our plan and deliver on each of these strategic priorities, initiatives and performance metrics.
Together, we can continue to ensure exceptional care, wherever our patients call home.
We are ecstatic to announce that Home and Community Care Support Services has been named as an Excellence Awardee in five categories of the Canadian HR Awards.
At Home and Community Care Support Services, our people are our greatest asset and this is reflected in one of our four strategic priorities: Invest in Our People. Investing in our People ensures our teams are agile and responsive to meet the needs of patients in the community.
We are pleased that our efforts towards this priority have been recognized nationally by the Canadian HR Awards, in the following categories:
Most Effective Recruitment Strategy
Our approach to recruitment and staffing initiatives aims to stabilize our workforce and attract, develop and retain exceptional talent in a rapidly changing health care environment. The cornerstone of our recruitment strategy is our employment brand statement that serves as our career promise to staff and differentiates us from other organizations. We leverage our social media accounts, Careers and People Strategy sections on our corporate website, job fairs and internal channels to maximize our reach and engage potential candidates.
The CPHR Canada Award for HR Champion (CEO)
With a strong belief in the power of people, our CEO Cynthia Martineau’s transformative leadership has paved the way for organizational growth and employee well-being. Over the course of her relatively short 18-month tenure as CEO, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to HR excellence, leveraging the strengths of our team to transform, modernize and innovate with greater efficiency and effectiveness, deliver on priorities and demonstrate our core values of collaboration, respect, integrity and excellence.
Endorsement from our Board Chair
“Under the transformative leadership of our esteemed CEO Cynthia Martineau, our organization has experienced a remarkable journey towards HR excellence, fostering a thriving workplace culture and driving outstanding results. Cynthia’s unwavering commitment to human resources has been instrumental in shaping our organizational design, aligning HR practices with our strategic objectives, and champion a culture of inclusivity, transparency and accountability. With a visionary approach, Cynthia has successfully transformed our workforce, enhanced employee engagement, and positioned Human Resources as a strategic partner in our journey towards exception care for Ontarians.
Cynthia’s strategic initiatives and accomplishments speak volumes about her dedication to HR, driving operational effectiveness and fostering consistency provincially. Her province-wide People Strategy and recruitment initiatives have enables us to attract talent and engage our workforce in new ways.
Cynthia’s impact on our workplace culture, values, and employee engagement is evident through her personal interactions, regular town halls, roadshows and her social media presence. She has further strengthened the connection between HR and our organizational mission.
With these accomplishments and her exceptional leadership, Cynthia truly embodies the spirit of HR excellence. I wholeheartedly nominate her for the HR champion award, as she continues to inspire and empower our workforce, driving transformative change and enabling us to deliver exceptional care.”
― Joe Parker, Board Chair, Home and Community Support Services
Best Employer Branding
The launch of our Employer Brand Statement in 2022 has been key in establishing both name recognition and a strong organizational identity. Most importantly, our statement was shaped through staff engagement, capturing their voices and showcasing the functional and emotional benefits of working with us. Our employment brand statement embodies the collective voices of our employees, reflects our organizational values and positions us as an employer of choice within the health care sector.
Canadian HR Leader of the Year (Chief Human Resources Officer)
Our Chief Human Resources Officer Lisa Tweedy leads with incredible tenacity and dedication to creating an ideal workplace for our employees. Facing unique challenges in her current role, Lisa is shaping our organization through her people-first approach. Lisa has proven to be an adaptable, dedicated and innovative HR Leader. She is committed to creating a supportive culture for all staff so they have the resources they need to help everyone be healthier at home through connected, accessible, patient-centred care.
This accomplishment would not be possible without the dedicated, passionate workforce at Home and Community Care Support Services. We will continue to build on the accomplishments of our People Strategy so that we may continue to cultivate a unified, positive culture that reflects our values and empowers staff to achieve our organization’s mission and vision.
Endorsement from our Chair, Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Communications Board Committee
“I am delighted to support the nomination of Chief Human Resources Officer Lisa Tweedy for the prestigious HR Leader of the Year award. Lisa’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to creating an ideal workplace have truly set her apart. Her expertise in human resources law and policy development, coupled with her focus on leadership, has been invaluable to our organization.
Amidst the unique challenges we face in the health care sector, Lisa’s people-first approach has been instrumental in shaping our organization. Despite the ever-changing health care landscape and the added strain of COVID-19, Lisa has successfully navigated the complexities of retaining and attracting talent. Furthermore, Lisa’s leadership during the reorganization and rebranding of our organization in April 2021, consolidating 14 entities into one, has been nothing short of remarkable.
Under Lisa’s guidance, our HR strategy, aptly named People Strategy, has become the cornerstone of our workforce stabilization efforts and investment in our teams. Her vision of fostering a unified culture among previously distinct corporate entities is being realized through the implementation of strategic initiatives that prioritize the right people, right skills, and the right mindset to achieve our goals.
Lisa Tweedy is a true HR leader, and I am immensely proud to support her nomination for this well-deserved recognition. Her extraordinary dedication and transformative leadership have made a lasting impact on our organization and the lives of our employees.”
― Glenna Raymond, Chair, Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Communications Committee of the Board
Best HR Communications Strategy
To communicate effectively, we use a variety of tools: email, intranet, newsletters, videos, town halls and meetings. This versatile approach to communicating is used to highlight the benefits of our People Strategy, which unites all 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations. Our Communications team emphasizes the importance of creating channels for staff to provide feedback, such as through Q&As and surveys. The skillsets our staff possess are diverse, and utilizing their expertise ensures all our work is aligned with our vision of providing exceptional care to patients – wherever they call home.
Over 100 caregivers from across Ontario were recognized today as part of the inaugural Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Event, hosted by Home and Community Care Support Services.
The Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program celebrates unpaid caregivers whose selfless dedication and kindness makes it possible for people to live their lives in their communities despite the impacts of age, illness or disability. Nominations were open to the public between February 23 and April 24 for six different categories, with the only criteria being that caregivers must be providing care to a patient who has recently received or is currently receiving services through Home and Community Care Support Services and is not a paid or registered volunteer caregiver. The event was simulcast across the province with in-person events taking place in Toronto, Hamilton, Markham, Brampton and Chatham.
Attendees heard inspirational and powerful caregiver stories demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit and the remarkable lengths people will go to when caring for a loved one. From the more than 100 nominees, 10 stories received special recognition under six categories. Each category describes a different caregiver journey.
Category
Criteria
Recipients
Young Caregiver
This category recognizes the extraordinary efforts of a friend or family member under the age of 30 years who has gone above and beyond to support the needs of a loved one.
The impactful caregiver stories and learnings shared during the event and throughout the nomination period will be carried forward to develop the broader Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program, which will continue to support and engage with caregivers across Ontario throughout the year.
QUOTES:
“Caregivers are a vital part of the fabric of our communities. They ease some of the burden off our health care workers, provide support to our most vulnerable, and give them a sense of comfort and familiarity as they face life-altering challenges. To all the award recipients, congratulations on this well-deserved honour. This recognition is a testament to your hard work and to the sacrifices you make every day to help someone in need.” – Premier Doug Ford
“Congratulations to everyone nominated as part of the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Event. Your extraordinary commitment to providing support and care to family members, friends, or members of your community is having a tremendous impact on many people’s lives. As we continue working to build a stronger and more connected health care system, our government is expanding access to home and community care, including additional caregiver supports, and we are listening and learning from caregivers, families, and patients’ experiences.” – Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones
“Home and Community Care Support Services is honoured to celebrate caregivers across the province through our inaugural Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program. Every day, our 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations coordinate in-home and community-based care for thousands of patients across the province, and we couldn’t do it without the incredible unpaid caregivers in our communities. We know caregivers do what they do out of compassion and love, and we are proud to celebrate them as important health care partners.” – Cynthia Martineau, Home and Community Care Support Services CEO
“On behalf of the Board of Directors at Home and Community Care Support Services, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and praise to the nominees of our inaugural Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program. While we recognize that being an unpaid caregiver can feel like a thankless job, we want these dedicated caregivers to know that their contributions do not go unnoticed. Highlighting them through the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program is a small gesture that allows us to recognize and thank this group of exceptional people.” – Joe Parker, Home and Community Care Support Services Board Chair
With significant snowfall affecting many parts of the province, Home and Community Care Support Services is making every effort to maintain continuity of patient care, as well as consider the safety of home care workers.
Depending on weather conditions, delays, postponements or cancellation of home visits may occur in some areas. Patients will be notified by their service provider about changes to their scheduled care appointment. Those who wish to cancel or reschedule their visit should contact their service provider directly or contact our access line at 310-2222 (no area code needed).
During this weather event, patients with scheduled nursing care clinic appointments should call the clinic before leaving home. Also, should patients wish to cancel or reschedule their appointments please call the clinic.
Given the unpredictable weather, we encourage patients to consider affirming or activating their back-up plans for care in case they are needed.
We anticipate regular service will resume as quickly as possible once the storm has cleared and conditions are safe for travel.
We thank our patients and families in advance for their patience during this challenging time. And finally, a reminder, in case of a medical emergency, please call 911.
Starting May 2, Home and Community Support Services has reopened our offices to the public.
To keep our patients, their families and caregivers, as well as our partners and staff safe, our administrative offices were closed to the public for most of the pandemic. We found innovative ways to provide virtual care to our patients during times of high risk, while also continuing to deliver vital face-to-face care to patients, residents, and clients in their homes, by their hospital bedsides, and in other clinical settings.
You can also call 310-2222 (no area code needed) or 1 800-811-5146 if you have questions, or if you feel that you or your family member need health-care support at home, at school or in the community.
The following locations are now open if you want to stop by with questions or to say hello.
Locations
Bancroft, 1 Manor Lane, Bancroft, ON
Barrie 15 Sperling Drive, Suite 100 Barrie, ON L4M 6K9
Belleville, 470 Dundas St. East, Belleville, ON
Brampton, 199 County Court Blvd, Brampton
Brantford, 195 Henry St, Unit 4, Brantford
Brockville, 555 California Ave, Unit 1, Brockville, ON
Burlington, 440 Elizabeth St, 4th Floor, Burlington
Campbellford, 119 Isabelle Street, Campbellford, ON
Chatham Office 180 Riverview Drive Chatham, ON
Cornwall 709 Cotton Mill St, Cornwall, ON K6H 7K7
Etobicoke Office, 401 The West Mall, Suite 1001, Etobicoke, Ontario M9C 5J5
Haliburton, 73 Victoria Street, Haliburton, ON
Hamilton, 211 Pritchard Rd, Hamilton
Hawkesbury, 119 Main St, East, Suite 101, Hawkesbury, ON K6A 1A1
Kingston, 1471 John Counter Blvd. Kingston, ON
Lindsay, 370 Kent Street, Lindsay, ON
London – Head Office, 356 Oxford Street West, London, ON N6H 1T3
Mississauga Office, 2655 North Sheridan Way, Suite 140, Mississauga, Ontario L5K 2P8
North Bay, 1164 Devonshire Ave., North Bay
Ottawa – Bells Corners 301 Moodie Dr, Suite 105, Ottawa, ON K2H 9C4
Owen Sound, 1415 1st Avenue West, Suite 3009, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8
Pembroke, 1100 Pembroke St, East, Pembroke, ON K8A 6Y7
Peterborough, 700 Clonsilla Avenue, Peterborough, ON
Port Hope, 151A Rose Glen Road, Port Hope, ON
Renfrew, 850 O’Brien Rd, Unit 8, Renfrew, Ontario, K7V 3Z4
Sarnia Office 1150 Pontiac Drive Sarnia, ON
Scarborough, 100 Consillium Place, Scarborough, ON
Simcoe, 76 Victoria St, Simcoe
Smiths Falls, 52 Abbott St. North, Smiths Falls, ON
Catherines, 149 Hartzel Rd, St. Catharines
Thomas, 1063 Talbot St, Unit 70, St Thomas, ON N5P 1G4
Stratford, 65 Lorne Avenue East, Stratford, ON N5A 6S4
Timmins, 330 Second Ave, Suite 101 Timmins
Thunder Bay 961 Alloy Dr., Thunder Bay
Toronto Offices
Toronto Our main office is located near Highway 404 and Highway 7 – at 11 Allstate Parkway, Suite 500, Markham, Ontario, L3R 9TB. We also have an office in Newmarket and North York.
Waterloo, 141 Weber Street South, Waterloo ON, N2J 2A9
Whitby, 920 Champlain Court, Whitby, ON
Winchester, 530 Fred St, Suite D, PO. Box 209, Winchester, ON K0C 2K0
Windsor Office 5415 Tecumseh Road E. Windsor, ON
Woodstock, 1147 Dundas Street, Woodstock, ON N4S 8W3
Ensuring the health and safety of staff, clients and health care partners is a top priority
UPDATED MARCH 14, 2022
As of March 14, 2022, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health announced that Directive 6 is no longer in effect, however health care organizations who have not already done so continue to be strongly encouraged to integrate immunization policies into their existing policies and procedures. To protect our patients, their caregivers and families, our staff and health system partners, Home and Community Care Support Services’ mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy remains in place and all employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination has been a key component of our COVID-19 response and offers safe and effective protection against hospitalization and severe outcomes.
Home and Community Care Support Services staff and providers continue the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment, including masks and face shields, complete daily health screening and follow practices and guidelines set by Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health.
TORONTO, Sept 3, 2021 –Home and Community Care Support Services is implementing a mandatory vaccination policy that requires its staff across the province to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
On Tuesday, August 17, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued Directive #6 mandating that all hospitals and home and community care service providers implement a COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees, physicians, contractors, students/learners and volunteers effective September 7, 2021. Organizations have the ability to put in place additional policies or measures based on their context.
The Home and Community Care Support Services Vaccine Policy requires all employees to provide documentation proving they are fully vaccinated. Staff who have a valid medical exemption will be required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing up to three times weekly.
“Home and Community Care Support Services values the health and safety of our staff, patients, families and health system partners and is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19,” says Interim CEO Donna Cripps. “While we respect each person’s choice to be vaccinated or not, safety must remain a priority. Getting vaccinated is important for our collective health, so we are asking that our employees make the commitment to be fully vaccinated.”
Home and Community Care Support Services is also working closely with all provincially contracted Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) to ensure their compliance with Directive #6. The SPOs provide care through nurses, personal support workers and other professional services to patients.
Additionally, Home and Community Care Support Services staff and providers continue to use Personal Protective Equipment, including masks and face shields, complete daily health screening and follow practices and guidelines set by Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health.
QUICK FACTS
· On April 1, 2021, the 14 Local Health Integration Networks began operating under a new business name, Home and Community Care Support Services, to reflect a singular mandate to deliver home care and long-term care placement services and to provide referrals to community services.
· The Home and Community Care Support Services organizations are Crown agencies that serve over 674,000 patients per year.
· This renewed governance for home care is part of the government’s plan to modernize home and community care as part of an integrated health care system providing coordinated care for patients through Ontario Health Teams. Ontario Health Teams will work together to understand a patient’s full health care history, directly connect them to the different types of care they need and help patients 24/7 in navigating the health care system.
· There are no changes to how patients and caregivers access home and community care services.
· For information and referrals related to home and community care and long-term care home placement, patients can continue to call 310-2222 (English) or 310-2272 (French), no area code is required.
MEDIA CONTACT
Dave Richie Director, Transition Communications and Engagement Home and Community Care Support Services Dave.Richie@lhins.on.ca
About Home and Community Care Support Services
Home and Community Care Support Services (formerly known as Local Health Integration Networks) has a focused mandate to deliver local health care services such as home care, access to community services and long-term care home placement. These agencies previously had additional responsibilities for local health system funding and management, but these functions were transferred to and assumed by Ontario Health on April 1, 2021.
Home and Community Care Support Services is dedicated to ensuring the ongoing delivery of local services while Ontario makes changes to improve the health care system to give patients better connected care with health care providers working as one coordinated team in Ontario Health Teams.
Although these agencies are operating under new business names, services and contact information remain the same, including home and community care, long-term care home placement and help finding services and local doctors.
Chair of the Board, Joe Parker, welcomes three new board members to expand the expertise and skills on the Home and Community Care Support Services Board of Directors.
TORONTO, March 9, 2022 – Home and Community Care Support Services is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to the Board of Directors: John Beardwood, Kate Fyfe and Shanti Gidwani. Their combined expertise further enhances oversight of our organizations and the continued provision of high-quality home care services.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome John, Kate and Shanti to our remarkable team of industry leaders,” says Joe Parker, Chair of the Board of Directors for Home and Community Care Support Services. “The skillsets and collective experiences that these three highly accomplished individuals bring to our diverse team helps us provide strong governance and a stable foundation for the delivery of our mandate. Our board will continue to ensure the people of Ontario receive exceptional care – wherever they call home.”
“Our government is committed to building a better, connected health care system centred on the needs of patients,” says Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Across the province, home and community care plays a critical role in ensuring Ontarians remain safe and healthy in their homes, and our government continues to take thoughtful, gradual steps to modernize home and community care to allow for the seamless coordination of services across Ontario. I am pleased to welcome John, Kate and Shanti to this exciting journey.”
Home and Community Care Support Services organizations are responsible for home care delivery, long-term care home placement and facilitating access to community services. Operating under one CEO and one Board of Directors to ensure continuity of services across the province, the organizations have a focused mandate to improve the delivery of home care as part of the government’s plan to build an integrated, connected health care system centred on the needs of patients through Ontario Health Teams.
QUICK FACTS
Home and Community Care Support Services organizations have a focused mandate to deliver home care, long-term care home placement, as well as help connect people with community services and primary care.
Each year, 8,600 staff serve or support more than 674,000 patients of all ages.
Every day, Home and Community Care Support Services provides: 22,000 nursing visits; 3,000 therapy visits; and 85,000 hours of personal support care.
Find your local Home and Community Care Support Services here. To refer yourself or someone you know for care, call 310-2222 (English) or 310-2272 (French), no area code is needed.
To read more about our Board of Directors, click here.
BOARD MEMBER BIOS
John Beardwood
John Beardwood is a senior partner at Fasken and the Past Chair of the firm’s Technology practice group. He was the Co-Founder of both the Outsourcing practice group and the Privacy and Access to Information practice group. His practice is focused on technology, outsourcing and procurement, and privacy law matters.
John works closely with clients in advising on and negotiating various technology-related transactions, including outsourcing/procurement, licensing, development, implementation, distribution, technology transfer, strategic alliance and e-commerce-related transactions. John has worked with a variety of industries, including health care, financial/insurance institutions and the public sector. John often advises clients on privacy law and access to information matters, and has been developing and implementing privacy compliance programs for more than 20 years.
John holds an Honours BA in History and Political Science from McMaster University, an MA in Political Science from McMaster and completed his Law Degree at the University of Toronto.
Kate Fyfe
Kate Fyfe is the President & CEO of Timmins and District Hospital. With over 25 years of senior executive experience, Kate brings a wealth of experience in acute care, mental health and health system settings.
Throughout her career, Kate has worked collaboratively with system partners to improve accountability, performance, access to care and quality outcomes. While focusing on improving access to quality care, Kate has also led a variety of transformational projects related to care delivery and the implementation of broad structural changes to our health system.
An active member in her community, Kate has provided leadership and guidance on the COVID-19 Municipal Emergency Response Team, and currently sits on the Board of Timmins Academic Family Health Team. A true Northerner, Kate continues to focus her energy on building stronger, equitable and healthier local communities and improving population health outcomes across our health system.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Ottawa, is a Certified Professional Accountant / Chartered Accountant and has completed the Rotman Advanced Health Leadership Program.
Shanti Gidwani
Shanti Gidwani is a health care business leader with a diverse international clinical background and more than 25 years’ experience. She is passionate about breaking down the complexities of health care environments and supporting the necessary but complicated cultural shifts.
In 2021, Shanti joined Gartner Consulting as an Associate Partner where she is responsible for health care consulting opportunities and business development. Prior to Gartner, she was the National Director of Healthcare at Cisco Canada, responsible for the transformation of how health care is delivered across Canada and improving patient outcomes and experiences through technology.
Prior to Cisco, she was a health care consultant for the World Health Organization (European Region and International) before beginning her own health care consulting practice in Canada. Throughout her career, Shanti has worked with a variety of organizations, including First Nations communities, post-secondary institutions, regional health authorities and the provincial government of British Columbia in Canada.
Shanti holds an honours Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology and Zoology (French minor) from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Thompson Rivers University and Master of Health Administration and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of British Columbia. She also has Certified Health Executive status with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and previously held a nursing license with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals.
On Home and Community Care Support Services’ origin: On April 1, 2021, Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) began operating under a new business name, Home and Community Care Support Services, to reflect a focused mandate to deliver home care, long-term care placement services, and referrals to community services. On this same day, previous responsibilities for local health system funding and management was transferred to Ontario Health. A cross-appointed Board and CEO for the 14 agencies was introduced on July 1, 2021 as part of the government’s plan to modernize home and community care as part of an integrated health care system providing coordinated care for patients.
We have updated all Home and Community Care Support Services email addresses to reflect our new name.
This means our staff now have new email addresses ending in “@hccontario.ca”—replacing “@lhins.on.ca.” Please update your contacts with this new information accordingly.
Rest assured, there will be no disruption to service or contacting us because of this email change, and any emails sent to old email addresses will still be received by the intended person.
