Target Audience: Member Organization Leaders in Healthcare | Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes
Why It Matters
Our Heart Failure Program at the Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team (HPA-OHT) has received the AFHTO Bright Lights Award for “Expanding Access to Team-Based Care.” This honour recognizes not only the program’s innovative, people-centred model but also the extensive collaboration that has made this initiative a success. This award is a tribute to everyone involved, especially Dr. Shanil Narayan and our Family Health Teams.
Celebrating Our Collaborative Network
The success of the Heart Failure Program is rooted in the strong partnerships across Family Health Teams (FHTs) in the region, each playing a critical role in delivering high-quality, accessible care:
- Best Care Support across each Spoke: Clinton, Huron Community, Bluewater, Happy Valley, Maitland Valley, Listowel-Wingham Area, STAR, and Stratford FHTs as well as Exeter and Mitchell Family Health Organizations (FHOs) have all contributed to our collective mission to deliver the “Best Care” for heart failure patients.
- NP Hub Support: Nurse Practitioners from STAR FHT, Happy Valley, Maitland Valley, Listowel Wingham Area, and Stratford FHTs support the program’s Hub, strengthening our team-based approach.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs: The Stratford and Maitland Valley FHTs lead cardiac rehab services essential for recovery and long-term health, delivering specialized rehabilitation support for heart failure patients.
This collaborative framework ensures comprehensive, coordinated care for heart failure patients across Huron and Perth & Area, demonstrating the power of teamwork in achieving our healthcare goals.
Program Highlights
Leveraging the innovative Spoke-Hub-Node model, the Heart Failure Program connects primary care providers, specialists, and community resources to streamline heart care. Highlights include:
- Enhanced Care Coordination: Seamless transitions between primary care, specialty services, and community resources improve patient outcomes.
- Increased Accessibility: Localized care at each FHT Spoke reduces patient travel time, making critical services more accessible.
- Evidence-Based Treatment: Our team integrates the latest research into treatment plans, ensuring patients receive the most effective, evidence-based care available.
Shaping Ontario’s Healthcare Future
This award reflects Ontario’s broader mission to enhance primary care and address healthcare gaps in rural areas. Our Heart Failure Program is a model for coordinated, community-driven care that improves health outcomes and quality of life for complex chronic conditions.
Next Steps
As we celebrate this award, we remain committed to expanding the Heart Failure Program’s reach and building a seamless care network across Huron Perth. For more on the HPA-OHT Heart Failure Program and its transformative impact, visit Heart Failure – Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team.
