Local hospital announces five-year plan setting clinical priorities

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) has released its new five-year plan for clinical services and programs to meet the growing needs of the community.  

The local hospital announced the publication of the 2023-2028 Clinical Priority Plan (CPP) on April 24. The Clinical Priority Plan, which identifies where the hospital needs to grow and how to improve care, will act as a road map to enhance clinical programs and services at the local hospital. 

“Dufferin County – Caledon region's population is forecasted to grow faster than the provincial average. Our 2023-2028 Clinical Priority Plan is well positioned, backed by data, to ensure care reflects the growing health care needs of the communities we serve,” said Headwaters president and CEO Kim Delahunt.

In order to identify clinical priorities, Headwaters heard from more than 1,000 staff, physicians, patients, volunteers, and community members. The engagement included a survey, a review of program data, service volumes, performance, future trends, and projected population growth. 

Based on the feedback, a list of four focus areas was created to apply to all clinical programs at the hospital in their day-to-day delivery, future planning and decision-making. 

Known as the Quadruple Aim, the focus areas include: improving the patient experience, enhancing population health, maximizing resources, improving efficiencies, and optimizing the care team's well-being. 

Five specific clinical priorities reflect the most urgent needs and populations poised for growing – emergency services, geriatrics, mental health and substance use, obstetrics, and pediatrics. 

“We heard from our community which programs and services are in highest need: emergency services, geriatrics, mental health and substance use, obstetrics, and pediatrics,” said Dr. Grace Wong, vice president of medical affairs and chief of staff. “Our teams are committed to expanding and improving these services. At the same time, we will continue to work with all our programs to ensure we provide quality care, close to home.” 

The hospital said planning for specific actions for the clinical priority areas
is underway.

To learn more about Headwaters' 2023-2023 Clinical Priority Plan or to read the report in full, visit www.headwatershealth.ca.