Annex C
Proposal - Joint Action Plan 2012–2013
Revised March 20, 2012
Introduction
The South-East and Champlain Local Health Integration Networks (the LHINs) and the
Réseau des services de santé en français de l'Est de l'Ontario (the planning entity for
French-language health services) are committed to creating a health-care system that is
both linguistically and culturally adapted to Francophones and to facilitate their access
to this system. In the process, the LHINS and the Réseau agree to focus on the quality of
French language health care services as a way to ensure the safety of patients.
According to the Accountability Agreement of March 2011, the LHINs and the Réseau
must develop a joint action plan that identifies the objectives and joint actions to be
taken “in a way that promotes continuous quality improvement and efficient delivery
of high quality French-language health services.”1
To devise the Joint Action Plan 2012–2013, an evaluation of the 2011–2012 action plan
was conducted (see Annex I) and the following documents were consulted: the
Integrated Health Service Plan (IHSP) 2010–2013, the business plans of both LHINs, the
Réseau’s Recommendations Report, and the Réseau’s Strategic Plan 2011–2016.
2012–2013 objectives
The Joint Action Plan 2012–2013 includes five objectives that take into account
progress made or that represent the logical next steps following the actions taken in
2011–2012. We have also chosen to identify only joint actions in the 2012–2013 action
plan. This is a testament to the positive growth we have seen in our tripartite
relationship, where there is less need to specify the actions of each, thanks to a better
understanding of each party’s roles and responsibilities and to a well-established
collaboration relationship.
1. Improve quality of data for better planning
2. Strengthen Francophones’ participation in health service planning through
community engagement
3. Ensure that French-language health service planning meets the needs of the
Francophone community
4. Improve the active offer of French-language health services
5. Measure the impact of our actions on French-language health services
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Funding and Accountability Agreement, March 2011
1
In addition to the measures and objectives stated in the annual Joint Action Plan, the
Réseau will “provide [to the LHINs] advice on any other matter that the Entity
considers appropriate, with respect to the Francophone community, which has an
impact, directly or indirectly, on the health of Francophones.”2
It must be noted that this will be the Réseau’s first full year acting as planning entity
for French-language health services, given that the preceding action plan was signed in
July. It must also be noted that this will be a year of change in health care due to the
new action plan announced by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and to the
revision of the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006. For these reasons, any and
all actions may be modified with the approval of all concerned parties.
Next steps
The Joint Action Plan will undergo the following:


approval by the Regional Liaison Committee;
ratification by the respective boards of directors.
The three organizations will then decide on the specific responsibilities of each, which will
enable:
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the Réseau to develop its work plan; and
the LHINs to develop their work plans.
Ibid.
2
Objective 1: Improve quality of data for better planning
Joint actions
1. Develop a recommendation for all health service providers on collecting the linguistic
variable in order to identify Francophone clients.
2. Educate key provincial players on the importance of collecting linguistic data, and
identify opportunities to insert the linguistic variable into provincial processes.
3. As a follow-up to analysis of existing databases, develop a methodology for analysing
Francophone needs.
4. Continue to develop research partnerships and to be involved in research projects
related to LHIN planning priorities.
Objective 2: Strengthen Francophones’ participation in health service
planning through community engagement
Joint actions
1. Implement engagement initiatives according to planning priorities.



Maintain communication between the Réseau and LHIN teams on community
engagement priorities according to planning initiatives.
Promote Francophone engagement:
o jointly: under the Integrated Health Service Plan (IHSP), and according to
other priorities as determined by the teams;
o individually (Réseau): among seniors, immigrants/new arrivals, and
persons with mental health disorders.
Distribute and encourage the use of the Francophone community engagement
guide (terms of reference).
2. Proceed with the targeted dissemination of key messages on the legal framework and
the role of partners of the Agreement developed in 2011–2012.
3. Develop a communication plan to raise awareness about the importance of Frenchlanguage services as an aspect of the quality and safety of health care and about the
resulting importance of an active offer of French-language health services.
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Objective 3: Ensure that French-language health service planning meets
the needs of the Francophone community
Joint actions
1. Continue to harmonize the Entity’s actions with the LHINs’ planning by acting on health
priorities (IHSP, annual business plan).
 Continue to involve the Réseau team in the LHINs’ planning processes and the
LHIN teams in the Réseau’s planning processes.
 Consolidate and share planning expertise (Réseau, LHINs) in French-language
services and other areas through rationales and the French-language services
planning guide.
 Collaborate on the goals and implementation of the recommendations on
mental health, seniors, OLC, primary care, diabetes, etc.
 Continue discussions on integrated service models in order to contribute
proactively to the LHINs’ planning processes.
2.
Ensure that existing LHIN consultation processes help to draw out Francophones’ needs
and priorities, and the solutions to these needs.
3.
Come to an agreement between the Réseau and the LHINs on how to address
Francophones’ needs and priorities that differ from the LHINs’ identified priorities.
Objective 4: Improve the active offer of French-language health
services
Joint actions
1. Continue the designation process with health service providers (implement the threeyear designation plan in Champlain and work with identified organizations in the SouthEast).
2. Continue the evaluation of the implementation of designation conditions in
accountability agreements, with the goal of increasing accountability.
3. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the designation process through projects
such as designing the designation guide, evaluating the post-designation assessment
process, developing webinars, etc.
4. Begin formulating a French-language services development strategy for the Trenton
region.
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Objective 5: Measure the impact of our actions on French-language
health services
Joint action
1. Develop indicators to measure the impact of our actions on French-language health
services.
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