Family Health Team model has helped bring doctors to area
News - Norwood - Twenty-five years is a “major milestone,” says Dr. Don Harterre, lead physician for Primary Health Care Services of Peterborough and a key architect of the successful Networked Family Health Team model in place throughout the county and city. Dr. Harterre made the comment during a recognition ceremony for Dr. Brendan Keogh in Norwood and said the emergence of the Family Health Team (FHT) model with its use of “allied health professionals” has been help. Dr. Keogh is a member of the Greater Peterborough FHT. “It allows him to share the load a
little bit and gives him a chance to take another breath and hopefully that will mean he won’t want to get out as early as he might otherwise,” Dr. Harterre said in an interview. The FHT model has helped over 17,000 unattached patients find family doctors, eliminated 15,000 unnecessary emergency room visits in the first 18 months of their inauguration in 2006 and continues to attract new doctors to the area, at least 18 brand new practices since 2006. “In the five years before that just three new family doctors came to Peterborough County. In the seven years since, 30 new doctors have come to
Relic’s Boat charms large crowd Entertainment - Rheanna Leckie, of Millbrook folk band Relic’s Boat, performs during the final show of the Norwood Lions hugely successful Tuesday night splashpad concert series. The eclectic band delighted the large audience with its mix of traditional Canadiana, gypsy jazz and covers of some mighty fine songs by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Gord Downie and George Gershwin. Photo: Bill Freeman
Peterborough County,” said Dr. Harterre. “They’re not all full-time but the system allows them to work flexibly. “There’s mutual support for that kind of thing. It was possible before but a lot easier now,” he said. The FHTs also provide after-hours and weekend help. “I’ve heard from a lot of doctors that they were thinking of retiring and didn’t or it was five years after. That gives new blood a chance to get in.” Family Health Teams place an emphasis on holistic health care and that means doctors don’t have to “carry the whole burden themselves.” The allied health workers have “expertise in a particular area the doctor doesn’t have,” said Dr. Harterre. “The re-
source is there with people who specialize but they’re still part of the care team. Brendan knows what they’re saying because they have a shared chart.” Managing diabetes is a good example, Dr. Harterre said. As successful as the FHTs have been there is no resting on laurels. “There are always things to be done,” Dr. Harterre said. “You can always improve things and we’re trying to improve things. The biggest challenge now is preventative health care. “It’s one thing to look after people when they’re sick; it’s even better if you can prevent them from getting sick.” The FHTs are “getting into programs that are very strong on prevention,” he said citing
vascular disease and diabetes. “If you can control these things you can control the complications of them. So there’s lots to be done.” Attracting new family doctors is another challenge.
“Smaller communities have had trouble,” Dr. Harterre admits. He says Dr. Keogh believes a decision by a locum physician to spend six weeks in Norwood “was helped a bit by the Family Health Team.”
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By Bill Freeman
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Geoff Taylor picks away at the mandolin during the show. Photo: Bill Freeman
“Bagpipes...traditionally used to warn of enemy clans... News - Jack Stewart celebrated his 99th birthday in fine style sharing a special Friday morning breakfast gathering at the Skillet Restaurant in Norwood with some old friends and a who’s who of local politicians, happy to pay their respects, including (left to right) Asphodel-Norwood Mayor Doug Pearcy, Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro (seated), City of Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones and Peterborough MP and Minister of Rural Affairs Jeff Leal. Photo: Bill Freeman
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Distinguished birthday company
at our festival they will welcome your clan” The Trent Hills Independent - Thursday, August 29, 2013 19