As a tertiary care centre, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has a responsibility to provide acute care service when it is needed most, by every patient in Northwestern Ontario. We will consistently provide timely access to critical and specialized care in a manner that respects the cultural diversity of our region, and that provides dependable back up to our colleagues in healthcare across the region. In 2006/2007 we will improve regional service integration. We are developing a plan for regional service delivery, communication, critical response and specialist outreach services. We will deploy the following strategies:
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In collaboration with the Local Health Integration Networks, support a sustainable planning body or forum for on-going service planning (identify priorities and understand regional capacities, services and resources).
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Develop an outreach communication program that will include a series of consultations throughout the region.
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Create a regional referral policy and improve acute care referral systems.
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Identify needs for specialist services in communities and build multi-disciplinary specialty service teams to provide care close to home.
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Develop a critical response outreach system for regional hospitals and physicians.
