By Diane Peters

The northwest corner of Toronto is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, a strong sense of community permeates many of the neighbourhoods, and grassroots social and healthcare initiatives are the rule, rather than the exception. On the other hand, many of these locally led groups exist because the system is failing residents, with a lack of employment opportunities, social services and culturally relevant programs.

A pilot project at Humber River Health’s Finch campus, the Community Care Hub (Hub) is hoping to change that. The idea is to bring a range of equity-based health and social services together under one roof, to make them more accessible to those who need them most.

“We offer a diverse range of services,” says Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director of Black Creek Community Health Centre, which launched the Hub last winter, along with the rest of the North Western Toronto (NWT) Ontario Health Team (OHT). “The needs in our community are unique – they’re not necessarily about clinical or medical care.”

OHTs are a province-wide initiative that connect healthcare providers of all types within a geographic area to make it easier for patients to access care locally. As a member of the NWT OHT, Humber donated accessible space in the heart of the community, and more than a dozen local service organizations will be collaborating to make this Hub a reality.

“It’s an opportunity to work in partnership with other providers,” says Prescod. These groups all have different areas of expertise but work together at the Hub to help people. “Our goal is to keep people well and to avert preventable hospital visits.”

CENTRALIZED ACCESS

Visitors to the Hub can walk in and get information and support in a range of different ways. They can attend a scheduled activity, get vaccinated, or sit down and talk to someone about health or other services in the community – such as screening clinics, counselling services, job fairs or food banks. They might just need someone to assist them in making a phone call to book a medical appointment or talk to a potential employer. Importantly, clients do not need a valid health card to access the services offered at the Hub.

“It’s difficult for individuals to access care. Having a hub that can provide services that are tailored to the needs of the community will improve not only their access to healthcare services but will improve their relationship to the healthcare system,” says Beatrise Edelstein, Vice President of Post Acute Care and Health System Partnerships at Humber.

CUSTOMIZING THE HUB

The Ontario government supports community care hubs, but there’s no precise model healthcare teams need to follow. “Ontario Health Teams are very different across the province. These hubs are really supposed to be able to move the needle and provide a space for hard-to-reach populations,” notes Edelstein.

Before opening in February 2024, the NWT OHT leadership team consulted with local service agencies and then set up a community advisory committee. A number of partners are offering services at the site in these early months, with more joining later. For now, the plan is to figure out the right mix of programs as the facility ramps up, favouring approaches that make a dent in local health and social needs.

While the province offers some funding for hubs, it’s limited. Instead, the Hub relies on its community partners working together to run sustainably, and Humber’s donation of space has been pivotal. “Space is at a premium in the community, so we’re really grateful to Humber,” says Prescod. “We would not be able to do this otherwise.”

Embracing real collaboration will be the key to the Hub’s future success, she adds. “There are lots of riches here. I hope we can have the community lead us rather than the service providers thinking they have all the answers. We’re not the experts – the people who live here are.”

NORTH WESTERN TORONTO ONTARIO HEALTH TEAM PARTNERS

ACUTE CARE

• Humber River Health
• Runnymede
• Healthcare Centre
• West Park
• Healthcare Centre

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES

• Black Creek Community Health Centre
• Unison Health and Community Services

HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS

• Lumacare
• SE Health Care

LONG TERM CARE

• Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS

• Across Boundaries
• Addiction Services Central Ontario
• Canadian Mental Health Association – Toronto Branch
• COTA Health
• LOFT Community Services

PRIMARY CARE

• Finch Weston Health Centre
• Humber River Family Health Team
• Jane Finch Family Health Team
• Marlee Medical Clinic
• North West Toronto Family Health Group
• Yorkview Medical Centre

 

To read our full magazine, Care Closer to Home, click here.