Planning in the HNHB LHIN
Planning happens at many levels, on many different topics, with lots of different people. In this section you will find information on our Integrated Health Services Plan which guides all our decision making, and the Clinical Services Planning Process. You will also find information about Aboriginal and French Language Health Services and how we work with hospitals.
The Context for Planning
Over the past three years the HNHB LHIN has actively engaged the public, health service providers and other stakeholders across the HNHB LHIN area in dialogue related to health service needs and opportunities for improvement within the health care system. Based on these discussions, we know that changes are needed in the way health care services are organized if we are to respond most effectively to the evolving health care needs of the population. These changing health care needs are being driven by a number of factors, such as:
- A growing and aging population that requires changes in the quantity and types of services available;
- Advances in medical technology (i.e., therapies, surgical techniques, medication), that are enabling people to live longer and in better health;
- Improvements in health care techniques and technologies that are changing the way we use hospitals, (e.g., increased day surgery, shorter inpatient stays);
- Advances in information/communication technology and the availability of health information, which are empowering people to assume greater responsibility for their own health.
While change is never easy, we are encouraged by the growing extent to which health service providers are collaborating across this LHIN in order to address growing needs in an era of scarce financial and health human resources.
This readiness for future oriented, collaborative planning across the LHIN, means the time has come to create a plan for health system transformation.
The following diagram depicts the context for planning.
