Attend the Central West LHIN's Caledon meetings on health care

Within the next decade, the population of the Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) will reach one million. What are we doing within the community to ensure our health care system will be ready to handle future demands?

The Central West LHIN has been busy talking to the public and to health service providers across the region to develop its initial Integrated Health Services Plan (IHSP). The IHSP will help improve access to health care services in Caledon, Bolton, Brampton, Orangeville, Shelburne, Woodbridge, Rexdale and Malton.

Caledon residents are invited to learn more about where our local health care system is heading at the first of a series of "public conversations" being held across the Central West region this fall. The first local session will be held tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 4) from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Caledon Community Complex, 6215 Old Church Road, Caledon East. Bolton residents can visit Christ Church Anglican, 22 Nancy Street, Oct. 5 from 2-4 p.m.

In addition to assessing growing and an aging population, the study and analysis also revealed some interesting facts.

Did you know that in the Central West LHIN, the birth rate is the highest in the province? Which is why maternal and child services have been identified among the area's top priorities. This area has the lowest supply of specialist physicians and nurses in the province and the second lowest supply of family physicians. This is why capacity is one of three major issues being addressed in the plan.

Full details on the demographic study, analysis of services and the current action plan will be available at the meeting. The chair of the board of directors and the CEO of the Central West LHIN will be on hand at the meeting.

The Central West LHIN is one of 14 Ontario Local Health Integration Networks created by the provincial government. The Central West LHIN is responsible for planning and integrating local health services, including hospitals, community care access centres, long-term care homes, mental health and addictions and community support services, and will assume responsibility for funding these services.

More information about LHINs can be found at www.lhins.on.ca.