Burlington residents can access health services with first-of-its kind app
Published November 30, 2021 at 3:22 pm
A new app will allow Burlington residents to access local health care and social services in Halton.
The Burlington Health Navigator app is the first of its kind in the province and provides a 24/7 access point to a wide variety of community providers.
The app has been produced by the Burlington Ontario Health Team during Digital Health Week in Canada.
“As someone who has experienced many aspects of our healthcare system from a young age, I have learned that not knowing where to find the right care can negatively impact your health,” said Chloe Gallagher, Burlington OHT patient partner and Community Wellness Council vice-chair.
“When I had the opportunity to add my voice to the design of these digital health tools, it was a chance to provide our community with that missing link. If you need health care or social services and don’t know where to begin, the app or website brings all of our community’s providers into one secure place, searchable by health concern or specific population.”
Videos
The Health Navigator app was designed by and for patients, families and caregivers in collaboration with the Burlington OHT and technology partner IDENTOS.
With a swipe or a tap, the app connects residents to a wide variety of health and social services, including help finding:
- A family doctor or hospital care
- Mental health or addiction services
- Home care
- Chronic disease support
- Social connection
- Palliative care
- Indigenous and LGBTQ+ resources
The co-chairs of Burlington OHT, Eric Vanderwall, the president and CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital, and Harpal Singh, the physician lead, said the app creates better ways to access care by removing informational barriers.
The Burlington OHT is a collaboration of health and social service providers who work together, as one coordinated team, to provide integrated services and supports to meet the health needs of Burlington and surrounding communities.
Burlington OHT’s goal is to improve access to care, to prevent disease, and to ensure clients have seamless transitions among healthcare and social service providers.
In addition to the app, residents can navigate the same information on the newly re-designed Burlington OHT website and clicking on ‘Navigate Health Services’. Residents can also speak to a community resource specialist by calling 1-800-810-0000, ext. 1500.
To download the app on mobile devices, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play, search for Burlington Health Navigator and look for the bold, blue “b” icon.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising