Background

The changes started with the formation of organizations to address healthcare on a local basis with the goal of meeting the needs of "local health care users" (there are 14 of these organizations covering the whole of the Province of Ontario). You are a local health care user for both physical and mental health care needs, when needed. Our "Local" covers York Region, parts of North York and South Simcoe (known as the Central area). The organization is therefore known as the Central LHIN (Local Health Integration Network). Don't worry about the name, the concepts are the most important part.

Purpose

The actual functions of the Central LHIN will be to organize (i.e. "plan, integrate, fund and monitor") health care within the Central area. For example, they are responsible for hospitals and community mental health agencies amongst others. They are not responsible for funding physicians, but will be talking to them and making recommendations to improve services. To help understand what this process means to local health care users like you, the Central LHIN is out talking to people. They have offered 7 open houses at locations throughout the Central LHIN area. The Central LHIN has also been working with community members to draft reports such as "Building a Mental Health and Addictions System, Together!" and "Making a Difference: Helping People Lead Healthier Lives". The purpose of the first report is to configure the mental health and addictions systems in the best way possible taking into account the needs of "local health care users". Mental health and addictions are seen as a priority for the Central LHIN. Lots more community consultations will happen and opportunities for involvement are available.

Your Involvement

All of the above raises the importance of involvement by consumer/survivors in the process of "configuring" the mental health and addiction system to ensure that it is accessible to you. After all, an important part of a LHIN is to get local input. The Central LHIN has been active (see above) in gathering this input. Much more input is required as we move forward with changes. The Krasman Centre, while giving its own input to the process, wants to encourage and support consumer/survivors to get involved individually. This support may take the form of providing information, helping with transportation and a "buddy" system to attend formal Central LHIN meetings. In fact, the Central LHIN has asked the Krasman Centre to take the lead in this work by developing a consumer/survivor network to provide advice to the LHIN. As a start, there will be an info session on LHIN's in general, and specifically the Central LHIN, at the Krasman Centre (see Krasman Bulletin for more information). The Central LHIN website also identifies opportunities for involvement (see below).

Links and Resources

To get your queries answered, contact Tom Allen at the What Next! Peer Support Drop-in Centre.

Phone: 416-449-4555
E-mail: tallen@cmha-toronto.net

For opportunities to get involved, published reports and other resources for the Central LHIN:
http://www.centrallhin.on.ca

For information on LHIN's generally:
http://lhins.on.ca/