Accessing Services

Waheeda Rahman, MADirector, Diversity, Equity and Stakeholder Outreach

Accessing Health Care in Ontario

• Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

• Covers all medically necessary services ( i.e. checkup by a physician)

• Provides coverage anywhere in Canada

Step 1: Become Actively Involved In Your Health!

• You need to understand as much as you can about your health, treatment or tests you may undergo.

• Write down any questions you may have and ask the staff or doctor to explain in ‘plain language’ so you will understand.

• If it’s helpful bring a relative or friend with you.

Step 2: Talking With Your Healthcare Provider

• Tell them how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally• Tell them your medical and family history• Tell them of recent illnesses, hospital and doctor visits• Tell them of your previous treatments or surgeries• Provide a list of current medications• Allergies to food/medication• Herbal Supplements/Vitamins

Step 3: Questions You Might Ask Your Healthcare Provider

• What is my health problem?• What do I need to do?• Why do I need to do this?• What will it involve?• What if I don’t have take this

treatment? • Are there any side effects? If

yes, what are they?• Are there alternatives? If yes,

what are the they?

Step 4: How the Hospital Can Help

• Tell us if you require the following: Assistive walking, hearing devices, require sign language Interpretation services offered 24/7 in 170 languages

• Let us know if you have any religious/cultural/diet requests and the staff will do their best to meet your needs.

• Ask to speak to a social worker so you can access supports and community services.

• Your complaints/compliments/concerns will be taken to Patient Relations Representative.

Step 4: How the Hospital Can Help

• The Scarborough Hospital Information Tables:

Diabetes/Kidney Maternal Newborn and Childcare

Program Ethics Spiritual and Religious Care Geriatric Assessment and Intervention

Network Clinic Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence

Care Centre The Scarborough Hospital Foundation

Step 5: How Community Agencies Can Help

• Information TablesAgincourt Community Services AssociationAisling DiscoveriesEast Scarborough Storefront Scarborough Centre for Health CommunitiesToronto Public HealthTranscare Community Support ServicesTrillium Gift of Life

Contact:

• Waheeda Rahman, MADirector, Diversity, Equity and Stakeholder Outreach

Email: diversity@tsh.to Phone: 416-431-8200 ext.8034