The pandemic’s strain on the healthcare system has shown and continues to show the essential connection between health and social care. Social care can play a role in protecting the health care system from being overwhelmed by addressing social needs before they become health needs. With municipal social services being a major component of the social care fabric that exists in Ontario, these services are fundamental to the well-being of society and our communities. And yet, social services are often only connected to the broader provincial healthcare system by the smallest of threads.

This plenary will bring together Dr. Andrew Pinto, family physician, and founder and director of the Upstream Lab at St. Michael’s Hospital, and Prof. John Connolly of Glasgow Caledonian University to discuss not only why this integration is so important, but also how it can be effectively achieved.

Dr. Pinto and his colleagues at the Upstream Lab have sought to find ways to improve health outcomes by finding solutions to address social and economic issues faced by patients ‘upstream.’

Prof. Connolly, meanwhile, has researched the role of leadership in the integration of health and social care at NHS Health Scotland. This unique session will bring together both medical and public policy perspectives in an discussion of central importance to OMSSA Members.

Presenters:

• MODERATOR: Christine MacDonald, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, County of Bruce
• John Connolly, Head of Department of Social Sciences, Glasgow School of Business for Society, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Dr. Andrew Pinto, Founder and Director, Upstream Lab, Family Physician, St. Michael’s Hospital, and Associate Professor, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto