New Ontario Health Team created to see the Sault's First Nation communities

The province is adding three new Ontario Health Teams, and one of them is in northern Ontario.

Maamwesying Community Health Services applied to the Ontario Government three years ago and were approved to join the coordinated system in an official announcement on Friday.

Now, as an Ontario Health Team member, accessing healthcare for Maamwesying's 5,000 plus clients is going to be more straightforward.

These patients, from 11 First Nations in northern Ontario, and the urban Indigenous population of Sault Ste. Marie, will each have one patient story, one patient record, and one cadre plan shared between healthcare providers.

Carol Eshkakogan, the executive director of the centre told CTV News she was elated to hear of Maamwesying's approval.

“We have an opportunity to see the transition of care, and have more hands-on to ensure that the transition is seamless from the acute care centre, which is the hospitals to home,” added Eshkakogan.

The organization currently has 120 staff.

Eshkakogan said with this new approval comes the opportunity for more funding.

She hopes they can soon increase the number of employees, specifically doctors and nurses, that visit First Nation communities in the region.

To stay up to date on services offered by Maamwesying or to see upcoming events, you can visit their Facebook page.