Ontario Health Teams Corner

Community Outreach by Our Patient/Client, Care Partner Council (PCCPC)

The Middlesex London Ontario Health Team invites diverse patients, clients, and caregivers to shape healthcare improvements. Join our PCCP Network or Council to share experiences and influence change. Compensation is provided. Learn more and get involved by visiting our website www.mloht.ca or emailing info@mloht.ca.

Empower Your Health Journey with ConnectMyHealth

ConnectMyHealth is a digital health solution that provides you with an online, single access point to view your health records from participating hospitals in southwestern Ontario. ConnectMyHealth can be used on desktop and mobile devices, and there's no cost to use it. To learn more about ConnectMyHealth and how to register, visit https://info.connectmyhealth.ca/

South West Self Management Program

The South West Self Management Program is housed within the Thames Valley Family Health Team, funded by Ontario Health and serves the communities of Grey, Bruce, Huron, Perth, Oxford, Norfolk, Elgin and London/Middlesex. The goal of the program is to have a coordinated approach to support people living with chronic conditions, caregivers and health care providers with self management support, information and training.

What is Self-Management?

Self-management is the individual’s ability to be the director of their care. They have the knowledge, understanding and resources to make decisions around their health (physical, social and emotional health) working in partnership with all members of their health care team. To review and/or register for one of the upcoming workshops, please click the links below:

Support for People with Health Conditions

Caregiver Support Workshops

Did you know...?

In June, Cheshire held 3 “All Staff” sessions for all front-line and administrative employees. The topic this year was “Compassion, Empathy and Emotional Intelligence,” which is directly in line with the “Back to Basics” launch.

Each of these topics is transferable to our everyday lives, both at work and at home. We received excellent feedback from all attendees, many saying this was the best “All Staff!”

Kudos to the Education Committee for delivering another excellent learning opportunity for Cheshire.

In the Fall, we will be continuing with our “Back to Basics” series, adding 3 new front-line sessions to be delivered at Program Team Meetings: 

• Person-Centred and Collaborative Care
• The Employee Perspective
• Communication and Collaboration

Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) - Important Update

The Canada Disability Benefit Regulations came into force on May 15, 2025, paving the way for implementation.

What is the Canada Disability Benefit?

The benefit provides financial support of up to $200 per month to eligible people with disabilities with low income. Individuals must be between 18 and 64 years old. It is administered by Service Canada and represents a significant step forward in addressing financial barriers faced by many people with disabilities. The first month of eligibility is June 2025, with payments beginning in July 2025 for applications received and approved by June 30, 2025.

If an individual qualifies for the benefit, payments will start the month after their application is received and approved. If the application is approved in July 2025 or later and an applicant was eligible for payments in earlier months, they will get back payments. There will be no payments before June 2025.

Details on the eligibility requirements are available on the dedicated CDB webpage (Do you qualify - Canada.ca).

When to apply?

Applications for the benefit will open on June 20, 2025. Individuals cannot apply before this date.

How to apply?

Applications can be submitted online through the application portal, by phone, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

What is needed to apply?

Individuals who have been approved for the disability tax credit and who meet most of the eligibility criteria will receive a letter starting in June. The letter will include a unique application code and instructions on how to apply. 

Before a person applies, they should gather the following information:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Direct deposit information. Service Canada asks everyone to sign up for direct deposit because it’s the fastest and most reliable way to get payments.

If an individual does not receive a letter and thinks they may be eligible, they can still apply. The following additional information will be needed:

• Mailing address
• Net income (line 23600) from their 2024 notice of assessment.

Additional Support

Community-based navigator services are being supported to help individuals access the benefit and related programs, especially those in underserved or marginalized communities. These organizations are well-positioned to provide culturally appropriate and accessible support across Canada.

For information about the Canada Disability Benefit, including how to apply, please visit the Canada Disability Benefit website or contact Service Canada at 1-833-486-3007 or 1-833-467-2700 (TTY).