Headwaters Collaborative celebrates first anniversary serving community

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

Local journalism initiative reporter

Exactly one year ago, the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative was announced one of Ontario's first 24 health teams. 

The team is made up of health care organizations and providers who dedicate their work to improving the overall well-being of residents in Dufferin-Caledon.

Together as a unit, they provide the community with “family and specialist physicians, housing and long-term care facilities, mental health and addictions providers, home and community care providers, the hospital as well as long list of other health and social service providers.”

Ontario Health Teams were introduced as a new model of care that brings healthcare providers to work as a team. 

24 health teams were announced, including Durham Ontario Health Team, Brampton/Etobicoke and Area Ontario Health Team, and, of course, the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team.

“From the first announcement about the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative one year ago, I have been impressed with the commitment and co-operation between the different community partners,” said Sylvia Jones, MPP Dufferin-Caledon. “We began with an excellent foundation of teamwork between all the services who provide patient care, and the work that is demanded of all our health services during the pandemic is proof that the Collaborative in Dufferin-Caledon is an effective team.”

What started off with 24 teams, has now grown into 42 teams that cover 86 per cent of the province. 

These health teams have been vital to helping combat the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It's been an incredible year in so many ways, and we are proud of how our community has pulled together,” said Kim Delahunt, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre & Co-Lead, Hills of Headwaters Collaborative.

The Hills of Headwaters Collaborative hit some major achievements in their first year of working together.

Mental health and addictions services was improved and expanded to support providers during the pandemic, with more resources including a mobile Bereavement Team. 

The creation of a Remote Monitoring Program led by the Dufferin County Paramedic Service that helps improve home and community care experiences for patients with specific and complex care needs. In addition, connections have been improved between [the variety of] specialized health care providers to prevent patients from having to retell their stories.

A Community Wellness Council was developed to identify areas of focus for the Collaborative.

Ongoing partnerships provided necessary support for the hospital as well as the COVID-19 Drive-Through Assessment Centre, as well as a Collaborative Emergency Operations Centre, Dufferin-Caledon Personal Protective Equipment and a Swabbing Action Team.

“The future is bright and full as we work on building on our successes, including hiring a Transformation Lead for our OHT,” said Lianne Barbour, Executive Director, Dufferin Area Family Health Team, and Co-Lead, Hills of Headwaters Collaborative. “With the development of a leadership team, we know we can achieve great things for Dufferin-Caledon.”

For further information about the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team, please visit hillsofheadwaterscollaborative.ca.