New Online Health Resource Available For Consumers and Health Professionals

TorontoCentralHealthline.ca provides local health-related information to Toronto residents

TORONTO, July 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto residents are now able to access local, up-to-date healthcare information right at their fingertips. TorontoCentralHealthline.ca is a new online resource that provides consumers and health professionals with a focused, searchable way to find health-related information that is both relevant and close to home. With an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, the website supports a self-serve enablement model that will allow users to find what they're looking for quickly and effortlessly. Offered by the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), the service promises to change the way that Torontonians receive their healthcare information.

"The TorontoCentralHealthline.ca is an incredible tool for people who are looking for local, community-based health-related services and information," says Dipti Purbhoo, Senior Director, Client Services at Toronto Central CCAC. "Toronto residents are now able to access a dedicated portal that provides comprehensive and relevant data with a simple click."

Users can enter geographical information such as postal codes, or choose topics of interest that can be entered into the search field. Enhanced features include video links and mapping capabilities that add to the user experience.

The fully-bilingual resource is a valuable tool for not only consumers, but health-related professionals and organizations as well. The easy access to comprehensive information will support the Toronto Central CCAC's mandate of delivering "outstanding care, every person, every day." Primary care physicians, nurses and many others in the healthcare field who work with Toronto patients regularly will now be able to provide them with information on-the-spot, when required. In addition, local health-related organizations can easily log on and contribute information to the database regarding their services.

For family members who are out-of-province, the site provides a single location for community supports that may be required by their loved ones. Adult children and other family members of the elderly can quickly pinpoint services and contact information that can make a difference.

The TorontoCentralHealthline.ca also offers other reference data that will be helpful to various audiences. The Newcomer Child and Family Health Libraries, available on the site, provide links to existing online information, including: general information about the health care system, health educational materials, and details about specific healthcare services and programs that can be of help to new immigrant families, children and youth.

"These Health Libraries were designed to provide a 'one-stop-shop' of information targeted towards newcomer families, and their service providers, including an orientation to Ontario's healthcare system, information on maternal/child health, and specific programs/services targeted towards newcomer families" says Paul Davis, Director Health System Integration at The Hospital for Sick Children and lead for the Toronto Central LHIN's Children and Youth Advisory Table. "Our collective goal in developing the libraries is to eliminate some of the stress and frustration of trying to find information in disparate locations, and ultimately improve access to healthcare information and services for newcomer families in Toronto."

"The TorontoCentralHealthline.ca gives Toronto residents and health service providers easy and immediate access to relevant, local health-related information," says Purbhoo. "Finally, there's a single online locale that delivers the important information that residents require."

About Toronto Central CCAC

Toronto Central CCAC connects people across Toronto with quality in-home and community-based health care. We provide information, direct access to qualified care providers and community-based services to help people come home from hospital or live independently at home. In any given month we serve a population of nearly 1.5 million residents of the Toronto area with their care  needs in the community. In any given month, we support:

• More than 19,000 people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds
• 1,700 kids getting support at their schools
• 400 adults receiving rehabilitation services
• 23,000 information and referral inquiries
• The transition to a long-term care home for 240 clients
• 600 individuals to die at home with dignity
• Saving 1000s of hospital days by transitioning 7,000 clients home for care
• For more information, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtKFBXeTMQ&feature=youtu.be

Image with caption: "Andrea Keddy from Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) demonstrates the new website TorontoCentralHealthline.ca at the SickKids Farmers Market on July 15, 2014. (CNW Group/Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140716_C3128_PHOTO_EN_4311.jpg

SOURCE: Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre

For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Samantha Kemp-Jackson, [email protected], [phone] X2713