The Southlake Community Ontario Health Team and the South Simcoe Ontario Health Team are merging to create the Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team.
The Northern York South Simcoe OHT will focus on shaping the future of collaborative health care for the residents of Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Georgina, New Tecumseth (Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham), Cookstown, Essa Township (including Base Borden), Township of Adjala-Tosorontio and the Town of Mono.
"Many factors, including increasing access to health-care services for their communities, the proximity in geographic location, shared populations, and providing high-quality community health care were at the forefront of the decision to merge the two Ontario Health Teams (OHT)," a news release stated.
The new Northern York South Simcoe OHT will prioritize improving access and reducing gaps in the health-care system for their communities.
“As the communities we serve grow and change, it is essential that we broaden our horizons to meet our patients’ needs,” said Gayle Seddon, executive director, Southlake Community OHT. “In the spirit of collaboration and providing high-quality care, the Northern York South Simcoe OHT is forging a new path of excellence to elevate service offerings in our communities and transform the health-care landscape.”
The Southlake Community OHT was part of the first cohort of health teams approved in Ontario and has been operational since 2020. The South Simcoe OHT has been waiting for ministry approval since 2019.
“As we enter this new chapter, meeting the needs of our population and communities will remain as the driving force in the work we do,” said Jody Levac, president and CEO, Stevenson Memorial Hospital. “We are eager to enter this new era of unity, demonstrating our commitment to collaboration, community care, and quality partnerships.”
