The Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team (HPA-OHT) has made history by becoming the first collaborative in Canada to be awarded the prestigious Accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada.
Kimberly Van Wyk, Project Coordinator and co-lead for the Accreditation Canada process, emphasized the uniqueness of this achievement:
The HPA-OHT is a collective of ten organizations, including the Alzheimer Society Huron Perth, Clinton Family Health Team, Community Living North Perth, Huron Health System, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, Knollcrest Lodge, Listowel-Wingham & Area Family Health Team, ONE CARE Home and Community Support Services, West Perth Village, and the HPA-OHT itself.
Van Wyk says that achieving Exemplary Standing underscores the current quality of care and the collective commitment to ongoing improvements.
Joelle Lamport-Lewis, HPA-OHT Director, praised the holistic approach, stating, “This reflects our collective dedication to fostering a health community greater than the sum of its parts.” Andrew Williams, CEO and President of Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, added, “Kudos to all involved in this exciting and necessary collaborative.”
For patients, this accreditation assures a high level of care and seamless transitions across different care settings, from hospitals to long-term care facilities and home care.
Although they’ve achieved this accreditation – and it is remarkable – Van Wyk says that the process is never over.
The HPA-OHT plans to continue building on this success with a continuous accreditation process, inviting more organizations to join their efforts.
They aim to serve as a model for other Ontario Health Teams, sharing their knowledge and best practices.
Written by: B. Shakyaver