July 12, 2024 a Stratford Times Local health teams accredited together, first of its WORK SPANNING YEARS Representatives from various pegs eeerus) across ne isd ed separately, but in an effort tion survey in Ontario.” CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Navigating health care from team to team may be getting a little easier in the region soon. The region’s public-health teams have successfully been accredited together, a major milestone in Canada according to Andrew Williams, CEO of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA). “It’s the first in Canada where organi- zations that are separately governed have come together under the umbrella of ac- creditation,” Williams explained. “Our goal is to improve the care for the people we serve collectively in this community. Be wel ‘re really excited about where we Wenetato: Canada is a national body that sets health and social-ser- vices standards, assessing organizations against those standards to help them aati improve the quality of their oe ‘short, according to Leslee Thomp- son, CEO of Health Standards Organiza- tion and Accreditation Canada, accredi- tation is a symbol of trust the community can look to when seeking care. Ata celebration on June 12, Thompson congratulated the team involved and put into perspective the work that went into this process, which spanned years. “(The process) brought together com- munity, hospital, primary care when they weren’t under single governance,” Thompson explained. “But they built the trust and the collaboration to deliver and ensure there was delivery of great quality of care in every settin; ing. “This collaboration is setting the stage kind in Canada jion pose for a photo on June 12, celebrating the recent group accreditation. Normally, health teams are evaluated and accredit- carea the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and six other health teams joined together for the first sub- region accredita- for doing the accreditation, which would typically be done organization by organi- zation independently. By coming togeth- er, this is the new model for building and strengthening quality across settings for the population.” Day-to-day, accreditation will ideally manifest by having seamless care deliv- ery from health organization to health organization, Williams said. “Ideally, you’re not asked the same questions multiple times. ... If you have io come from long care into acute care, all the systems are coordinated,” Wil- liams said as an example. “It really is trying to remove barriers that exist today and make it easier for Laas and clients to move through the syst The accreditation aches started in 2019, according to the HPHA’s website, with the participation of the HPHA and extn rt RUA AINE EA IONCOEIE: 8 (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO) six health-care partners: Alzheimer Soci- ety of Huron County, Alzheimer Society of Perth County, Clinton Family Health Team, North Perth Family Health Team, Ritz Lutheran Villa/Mitchell Nursing Home and Knollcrest Lodge. The organizations participated ‘in the first sub-region accreditation survey in Ontario and the group was awarded “Ac- creditation with Commendation" and an overall score of 98.3 per cent. Williams said, when asked if this pro- Cess was a-success, “Ask me that in two ears.” Williams’ perspective, though this work has been a huge undertaking and is cause for celebration, every day should be treated as an accreditation day. “We’re constantly focused on how do we make ourselves ae a little bit better every single day,” he said Pausing to reflect - what I’m grateful for on Canada Day (and every day) GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor When Canada Day rolls around each yea, I always seem to find myself work- ing. I have ceremonies to cover, celebra- tions to photograph and, this year, stories to edit. By the time that’s all done and over with, I never seem to have the time to pause and reflect on what Canada Day means to me. While it may be July 2 as I write this, I’ve decided to take that time, and the space on this page, to do just that. Though Canada Day is deeply rooted in colonialism, it has become more inclusive in recent years, acknowledging and cele- brating the history of Indigenous peoples and other marginalized populations be- fore and after the arrival of Europeans, and I’m grateful for that. I'm also grateful to live in a country where I’m free to be who I am, do what I love and live the life I choose to live. I realize there are many in this country who do not enjoy those freedoms —at least not to the extent I do — and I’m grateful they and their allies are helping to reshape our society to become more welcoming and accepting of all people, no matter their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or political and personal beliefs. I’m grateful to live in a country where we are free to speak truth to power, and where we can hold those who govern us accountable for their actions, be it through peaceful protest, responsible journalism or democratic election. While we may not agree with each oth- er on everything — or in some cases, any- thing — I’m grateful for the opportunities to sit with those I disagree with to try and understand their points of view. I am grateful for the abundance and beauty of our natural spaces in this coun- try, and the opportunity to spend time in those spaces. I am also grateful for those who work so diligently to protect those natural spaces from climate change and environmental destruction. Finally, Iam grateful to live in a country at peace where so many of us are willing to welcome those fleeing war and conflict with open arms and a willingness to help them start a new life in any communi- ty of their choosing from coast to coast. Those who were not born here but choose to make their lives in this country are a huge piece of what make life in Canada so great. So many of us seek out the differences that divide us as Canadians. On Canada Day (or the day after), I choose to focus on the aspects of this country I am grateful for. If you look for them, there truly are so many things that unite us as a people.