The Best Care for Everyone

Improve Access to Primary Care

Guelph FHT is committed to improving access to Primary Care for all residents of Guelph.

In 2023-24, recognizing the critical importance of supporting the best start in life, Guelph FHT launched a strategy to ensure every Guelph newborn has a family physician.

Working with Guelph General Hospital, Guelph Midwives, Family Midwifery Care, Guelph CHC, and community OB/GYN specialists, Guelph FHT is ensuring Primary Care access for all newborns and their families.

Thank you Guelph FHT Family Physicians for making this happen.

In The Past Year: 180 Babies | 324 Parents | 59 Siblings are now connected with the Guelph Family Health Team.

Support Workplace Wellness

Guelph FHT has focused on connection, among FHT staff, physicians and patients. The new Guelph FHT Community of Practice is an opportunity for staff who work in different practices to connect, learn, and grow. As one participant said: “It’s very nice to have the opportunity to sit shoulder to shoulder with other staff and discuss day-to-day work topics.”

Connection has also been the theme at all-staff meetings where we focused on celebrating accomplishments and milestones, discipline retreats as well as physician and practice staff sessions. The FHT management structure has been streamlined to encourage staff connection and ongoing dialogue with managers.

Advance Digital Health

Guelph FHT continues to improve access for patients by implementing on-line tools for many Guelph FHT services.

On-line Appointment Booking:
More and more, Guelph FHT physicians are offering on-line booking, enabling patients to find appointment times that work for them, while taking pressure off the busy phone lines in family practice offices.

On-line sign-up for Guelph FHT programs and classes:
All Guelph FHT Wellness Classes and Programs can be accessed through the Guelph FHT website. While phone-in registration is still an option, on-line registration is quick and easy.

On-line referrals to community services:
Using OCEAN software, family physicians, nurse practitioners and other members of the care team can quickly and securely refer patients to many services and health care providers in and around Guelph.

Embed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Guelph FHT has moved forward along our EDI journey with a focus on three areas: Patient Experience | Staff Experience | Organizational Culture

Guelph FHT proudly:
• Welcomed physicians, patient advisors and community partners to the EDI Council.
• Piloted using a Health Equity Questionnaire
• Created staff resources, including a Guelph FHT EDI Handbook and EDI book club.
• Continued our partnership with the Canadian Council for Diversity and inclusion to support staff learning.

Create a Culture of Sustainability

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the health of the population and health care is responsible for 5 per cent of carbon emissions. Along with health system partners in Guelph and across Ontario, Guelph FHT practices are making green choices, including:
• Recycling masks
• Reducing use of exam table paper
• Prescribing more environmentally friendly inhalers
• Using recyclable batteries for medical devices like blood pressure monitors
• Offering virtual visits, minimizing travel and use of medical supplies