What exactly is a Family Health Team?

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides this definition of a Family Health Team:
“A Family Health Team is an approach to primary health care that brings together different health care providers to co-ordinate the highest possible quality of care for you — the patient.”

What is primary health care?

Primary health care is your first point of contact with a doctor, nurse practitioner or health care team member. Primary health care includes, but is not limited to: disease management and prevention, disease cure, rehabilitation, palliative care and health promotion.

How are Family Health Teams developed in a community?

Family Health Teams are designed for communities and by communities and so they are different from place to place across the province. We began by identifying the major health issues that affect people living in Essex-Lakeshore and Chatham-Kent and designed a team to meet the health care needs of people living in our area.

What are the main health conditions affecting the people in this area?

In this area, diseases that occur at higher levels than the provincial average include:
· heart disease and strokes
· diabetes
· chronic lung conditions
· cancer

Who are the health care providers that will be in our Family Health Team?

The interdisiplinary team at the Tilbury District Family Health Team includes:
· family physicians
· nurse practitioners
· a dietician
· a social worker
· a consulting pharmacist
· a chiropodist
· registered practical nurses
· a registered nurse/health promoter
· an administrative support team

How do Family Health Teams work?

Health care professionals will be working as a team with you to meet the vision established by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, that is:
· to provide better access to care, closer to home
· to work as a team to keep patients healthy
· to provide extended hours and after hours access to a registered nurse through the Telephone Health Advisory Services
· to help patients navigate their way through the heath care system
· to provide primary health care, chronic disease management and self-help tools to improve health
· to use state-of-the-art information technology giving providers access to patient information and test results
The Tilbury District Family Health Team will also be partnering with numerous other agencies to bring their services and expertise to our community.

What health promotion activities will be happening in this community in the future?

Based on the health issues faced by residents of our community, health promotion initiatives will centre around:
· active living
· smoking cessation
· cancer screening
· healthy eating

How many Family Health Teams are across Ontario and how many are in this area?

Family Health Teams have been approved across Ontario in both rural and urban settings. In this area, Family Health Teams are operational in Amherstburg, Chatham, Harrow, Leamington, Windsor and, of course, here in Tilbury. Tilbury is one of several Family Health Teams that is community governed by a Board of Directors made up of community representatives.

How do I find out more about Family Health Teams?

Additional information can be found at the website of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (www.health.gov.on.ca)