The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is planning for the future.

In partnership with the CK Ontario Health Team, the Health Alliance has released its three-year strategic plan, which CEO Lori Marshall says focuses on growing a healthier community.

“We realized we really need to focus on is mental health and addiction,” Marshall says, “We knew that was big before the pandemic, we know that it is a huge issue now. Our partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, we have shared leadership, some co-locations, some good things happening there.”

Marshall says the plan includes a focus on the health and wellbeing of staff within the organization and the patient experience.

“Things have also changed in terms of how people receive care, this whole movement to virtual care and using more technology, is that the way that we’re going to be able to actually provide more care to this growing need we’re going to see out there with potentially fewer resources if people choose not to not work in health care in the future.”

Marshall says the three-year plan keeps a solid focus on maintaining two sites in Chatham and Wallaceburg.

“CKHA’s new Strategic Plan builds on the strengths of the organization while addressing areas for improvement with clear goals and objectives for the next three years,” says Alan Wildeman, Board Chair, CKHA Board of Directors. “This Strategic Plan is integral to guiding CKHA’s dedicated and talented team as the organization embarks on its next steps as a local health system leader.”

The Strategic Plan was developed through virtual consultations and engagement sessions with various groups and individuals. Feedback was also gathered from the community through the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team’s Let’s Talk CK survey.