The Network is continuing its work to define and advocate for the role of specialized rehabilitation in the new Ontario Health Team (OHT) structure.

For certain rehab populations, specialized rehabilitative care (delivered by an inter-professional team with specific expertise) is necessary to ensure good patient outcomes and efficient care.

These specialized rehabilitation programs are best provided at a regional or provincial level.

As OHTs take on responsibility for care, the Network is making the case for specialized rehab and working to provide OHTs with guidance to ensure that patients who need specialized rehab receive it.

The Network has already worked with a group of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists from UofT to submit a position paper to the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA). The OHA was tasked by the Minister of Health to provide recommendations on specialized services.

The Network is continuing its work with interprofessional stakeholders and is now developing best practice guidance for OHTs to help them identify patients who will require specialized rehab and refer them appropriately.

For more information, please contact Charissa Levy, Executive Director.