The Huron-Perth and Area Ontario Health Team (HPA-OHT) has introduced a new way for the public to engage.
Nicole Vlasman, who leads Marketing and Communications for the health team, mentions that the aim of this platform is to gather public opinions on how healthcare in the area will change over the next few years. She explains that this initiative coincides with the team’s efforts to develop its new strategic plan, and there are some important healthcare topics they want feedback on through a survey.
“We’re asking very basic questions like when you think about your health, what helps you stay well? What works for you? What does good access to healthcare mean? That is a straight up survey question we have and you can click multiple options for that,” Vlasman said. “We also ask things like what are the biggest issues you face when it comes to your care? If you needed help and it wasn’t an emergency, where would you turn to first? Would it be a family doctor, an emergency department? So letting us know where that point of access is for you.”
The survey can currently be found on the new platform (https://yourvoice. hpaoht. ca/strategic-plan).). Vlasman adds that it will remain open until Wednesday, May 6, but the platform will continue to provide various chances for the public to share their thoughts regarding local healthcare in Huron and Perth.
Vlasman also emphasizes that while this initial survey features some specific multiple choice questions, there are sections where respondents can express their ideas on other subjects.
“What does prevention in healthcare mean for you? What would a great local health and community care system look like to you? And also what would make you feel confident in the system and that it’s working well for you and your family? All of those things are covered in the survey,” she said.
Members of HPA‑OHT’s Patient, Family, and Caregiver Advisory Council (PFAC) played an important role in shaping how this platform was created. A press release from the health team states that this engagement tool was designed “to be used to support ongoing, system‑level engagement as HPA‑OHT advances strategic planning and future initiatives.”
For those who don’t have access to digital tools, they can reach out to HPA‑OHT by phone at 519‑274‑0609 for information about other ways to share their views.
“This is about hearing directly from the people who live here-patients, caregivers, families, and community members-before decisions are made,” shared Joëlle Lamport‑Lewis, Director of HPA‑OHT. “As we define our future priorities, community insight is essential to building a health system that is responsive, connected, and grounded in local needs.”
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