Digital Support Strategy

The All Nations Health Partners (ANHP) Digital Working Group is a cornerstone of the region’s Ontario Health Team (OHT) transformation, driving digital innovation across primary care, mental health, and hospital systems.

The group leads strategic initiatives such as the implementation of the Integrated Decision Support (IDS) tool for population health analytics, the Ocean eReferral system for streamlined patient transitions, and the Central Wait List Management project, which modernizes access to Diagnostic Imaging appointments across five regional hospitals .

These efforts aim to reduce administrative burden, improve access, and enhance care coordination—especially in rural and remote communities where connectivity challenges are addressed through technologies like Starlink.

Through its governance structure and evolving Terms of Reference, the group fosters inclusive decision-making and long-term planning for digital equity.

With a focus on data integrity, patient-centred design, and system-wide integration, the ANHP Digital Working Group is shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Northwestern Ontario, focused on making it easier for people to connect with care providers, especially in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

Our Vision
We want a health care system where:

• Your health information can safely follow you wherever you receive care.
• You can book appointments online, talk to your provider virtually, and get test results securely.
• Health care teams can share important information quickly, helping you get the right care at the right time.

Why This Matters

• Better access to health services without long travel.
• Less repetition — no more repeating your health history to each provider.
• Safer care — providers have the information they need.
• More time for you — less paperwork, more focus on your health.

Key Projects
The ANHP OHT team has been working on several different projects to enable better health through digital tools:

• Creation of a shared digital patient record that connects hospitals, clinics, and community health services.
• Expansion of virtual care so you can see your provider online when appropriate.
• Launch of secure patient tools like online booking, messaging, and portals.
• Improved data sharing between health partners, while respecting privacy and community control of information (OCAP principles).
• Use of health data to better understand community needs and improve programs.

Guiding Principles

• Everyone should have fair and reliable access to digital health services.
• Indigenous communities will guide how their data is used.
• Privacy and security will always be protected.
• We will use existing provincial systems where it makes sense to save time and costs.

You can see some of the work we’ve done over the last five years summarized in the timeline below.

Questions? Concerns? Contact us!