Digital Health
At BBNOHT, we are committed to advancing healthcare in Brantford, Brant, and Norfolk through innovative digital health solutions. Digital health involves the use of technology and digital care programs to make healthcare delivery more efficient, personalized, and precise—enhancing the experience for both patients and healthcare providers.
Digital health is transforming the landscape of healthcare in Canada. Care providers can now use technology and automation to treat patients virtually, access patient records sooner, and consult more efficiently with other providers.
Patients can now have more control over their health journey and access information in real-time.
The Brantford Brant Norfolk OHT continues to work towards a more digitally enabled local healthcare system.
Digital Health Resources for Patients
ConnectMyHealth
ConnectMyHealth is a secure digital health solution that provides you with an online, single access point. You can review your health records from participating hospitals in Southwestern Ontario including, Brant Community Healthcare System & Norfolk General Hospital.
ConnectMyHealth can be used on desktop and mobile devices – and it's free to use!
To learn more and register today, visit info.ConnectMyHealth.ca
ConnectMyHealth Videos below:
BBNOHT Health Navigator App
Using the latest version of the free BBNOHT Health Navigator, you can easily, and securely access free health advice through Health811, view your personal health records through tools like ConnectMyHealth, or browse the local and provincial health services 24 / 7! The Navigator also helps you to access virtual urgent care and Immediate Crisis Support!,
BBN OHT Health Navigator on the App Store
BBN OHT Health Navigator - Apps on Google Play
Health811 (previously Telehealth Ontario) is for non-urgent health concerns, available 24/7 online and by phone. You can get safe, high-quality health advice from a qualified health professional and avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room. Health811 is free to use and you don’t need to provide your health insurance number. In the event of a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.
For health advice:
Connect with Health811 by dialing 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007).
You can also chat live online or access resources at ontario.ca/health811.
If you are in severe distress, experiencing a medical emergency, or your symptoms worsen while you wait, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
Whenever possible your family doctor is your first point of access for care. A virtual urgent care appointment may be right for you if you or a loved one have a medical issue that is NOT life threatening, but requires urgent medical attention.
Online urgent care is available for residents in Southwestern Ontario.
Appointment costs are fully covered with an Ontario health card.
What is a virtual urgent care visit?
An online interaction between the patient and a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician through video or audio chat. Similar to an in-person medical visit, patients will describe their concerns and symptoms to the NP or Physician. The NP or Physician may be able to fully address the concern during the online visit, or in some cases, the NP or Physician will explain to the patient why they need to go to the hospital for in-person care.
Is the virtual urgent care visit right for me?
Virtual urgent care services are intended for patients who are:
- 18 years of age or older (dependents as young as 3 months permitted);
- Have a medical condition that is not life-threatening;
- Well enough to wait up to several hours to discuss the concern with a physician
- Currently located in South-Western Ontario
Please be advised that virtual urgent care visits are not appropriate for narcotic prescriptions or renewals. Please see your regular provider for this.
What do I need for a virtual visit?
Please make sure you have access to the following in order to seek medical care virtually:
- Valid email address and phone number
- Valid OHIP card
- Smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone that does video calls
- Internet or Wi-Fi connection
- Safe and quiet space where you can have a private conversation with a doctor
Click here to access the Virtual Urgent Care Service.
Clinical and practice management tools
On this page you will find resources and information relevant to Primary Care in Brantford Brant & Norfolk.
Primary Care Cancer Screening Program
The Primary Care Cancer Screening Team leads strategies that support primary care efforts in cancer screening participation, appropriateness and coordinated follow-up.
Primary care providers play a key role in the success of cancer screening programs. Evidence shows a positive relationship between physician recommendation for screening and patient participation.
With seamless access from your EMR, the DHDR gives you as much information on drugs dispensed to your patients as is available.
Knowing as much as possible about the drugs patients are taking helps you reduce the risk of adverse drug events such as medication errors, drug reactions, allergic reactions, and overdoses, and increases the likelihood of optimal patient outcomes.
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy
Adults in Ontario with mild to moderate depression and anxiety-related conditions can access free, short-term, evidence-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and related services through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program.
- Brantford-Brant-Norfolk OSP is now accepting referrals for virtual and in person treatment.
- Preferred referral method is through Ocean eReferral Network, search for “OSP West” and complete the referral form.
- Click here for additional program information and alternate referral pathways.
- A roadmap has been developed to support those living with dementia who may still be driving
- This website outlines the role of the patient, caregiver and healthcare professional in assessing fitness to drive, understanding the risks and providing support after driving cessation
- Visit Driving With Dementia - (drivinganddementia.ca) for more information!
Digital Health Resources for Primary Care
The Brantford Brant Norfolk OHT is continuously working towards a digitally enabled local health care system and the participation of Primary Care is paramount in this endeavor. Resources are readily available to finance, adopt, train and maintain digital health tools within your own practice.
For more information on the resources found here, please contact Kim Meier (Digital Health Lead, BBNOHT) at kim.meier@bchsys.org
The OCEAN eReferral Network allows you to securely send and track electronic referrals in real time directly from your EMR ( Telus PS Suite / Accuro / OSCAR ) while also communicating and keeping patients informed. This program is 100% funded by Ontario Health!
To get set-up and trained on the OCEAN eReferral Platform, contact the Ontario eServices Program or eReferral@ehealthce.ca
To find out who is receiving OCEAN eReferral in all regions click here
Workflow Videos
eConsult is a secure, web-based tool that allows physicians or nurse practitioners timely access to specialist advice for all patients and often eliminates the need for an in-person specialist visit.
The HITS eHealth Office is pleased to be the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) Regional Lead, supporting the eConsult Program locally .
The following page includes fact sheets: What is eConsult (hitsehealth.ca)
Learn more about the Ontario eConsult Program:
WHAT IS ON-LINE APPOINTMENT BOOKING?
The ability for patients to access and make real-time (24/7) primary care office/team/defined appointment types. There is also ability to communicate and confirm appointments back to the patient using email communication.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR OHT?
Currently within our OHT, several primary care organizations have successfully implemented OCEAN online appointment booking. Patients and providers are providing positive feedback.
ClinicalConnect is a secure, web-based portal that gives you real-time access to an integrated view of a patient’s electronic medical information aggregated from all acute care hospitals, Home & Community Care Services and Regional Cancer Programs in South West Ontario, plus various provincial data repositories. Work is currently being done to explore how to include data from primary care EMRs in the integrated view.
Learn more about ClinicalConnect here with additional information about the portal’s features and benefits.
For more information contact the ClinicalConnect Program Office by email: info@clinicalconnect.ca or phone: 905-577-8270 ext.
Click here to learn more
The following page link provides an overview of what Data is available for patients to see in ConnectMyHealth: