Have your say on future health care

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By Cecilia Nasmith

The Ontario Health Team of Northumberland is asking residents to share their experiences and ideas through a new community survey, as it develops its next five-year strategic plan.

The announcement describes the survey as a chance for residents to have a say in the priorities that will help guide the OHT-N and its partners over the next five years.

“We're planning for the future of health care in Northumberland, and we don't want to do that without hearing directly from the people who live here,” OHT-N Executive Lead Ram Puva said.

“If you've had a positive experience with the health-care system, faced challenges accessing care or have an idea about what could work better, we are looking for your input.”

The survey will ask residents to share their perspective on health-care needs, barriers they may have experienced when accessing service, and where opportunities might be found to improve care and services.

OHT-N is a partnership of health-care providers, community organizations, patients, caregivers and other partners working together to improve how health and social services can be planned and delivered across the county – which means the community has a wide range of experiences with health care, Puva pointed out.

“We want to hear from people in communities across Northumberland, including people who may not regularly interact with OHT-N or other health-care organizations.”

Until Sept. 4, the survey can be found at ohtnorthumberland.ca/survey

Open to Northumberland residents, it will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and responses are confidential.

Residents are also encouraged to share they survey with family, friends and others in the community who may want to contribute.