The Grey Bruce Health Network: A Rural Integration Success Story

The Grey Bruce Health Network is a voluntary partnership between the three Grey Bruce hospital corporations and the Community Care Access Centre. It was initially created in response to the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care’s Rural and Northern Healthcare Framework (1997) but in more recent years it has become an important mechanism for collaborative action between local service providers to better meet the health care needs of rural residents. In 2001 the Network hired a joint Clinical Pathways Coordinator; in 2002, district-wide Clinical Plans for non-acute services (Rehabilitation, Mental Health and Complex Continuing Care) were developed and approved. Also in 2002, two health human resource plans were released—one for physicians and a second one for other key health care professionals. In terms of non-clinical support services, the Network has investigated the financial feasibility of various shared service options including food service management and health record storage. The corporations have approved and begun implementation of a common Information Technology Plan beginning with enhancing the Wide Area Network which will pave the way for collaborative planning for teleradiology and an electronic health record.

Evolution of the Grey Bruce Health Network

• Summer 1997 – Ministry of Health issued the Rural and Northern Health Care Framework
• Fall 1998 à Summer 2000 – Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council initiated Network meetings
• March 1999 – Health Services Restructuring Commission issued the Rural and NorthernHospital Network Report, Network 2, Grey/Bruce
• Fall 2000 – Network Strategic Planning Retreat
• Summer 2001 – Talisman Agreement signed
• June 2003 – Network Retreat