Celebrating collaboration, advancing integrated care, and building healthier communities with SOHT.
No images? Click here
Scarborough Ontario Health Team Newsletter
Table of Contents:
Messages:
- Message from the SOHT Director
#ScarboroughStrong in focus: Community Voices in Profile
Get Involved
- Communications Committee
Upcoming Events
- SHN to hold Breast Screening Pop-up to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- A conversation with Dr. Belhaj: Fall and Winter 2025/26 Infection Prevention and Control
Opportunities
- Paediatric Dermatology Update
- Primary Care Upskilling Programs for Registered Nurses
SOHT Partner Updates:
- Welcome to HeartWork: The HF Care Online Shop
- Yee Hong’s Ng Siu Chan Care Centre Receives Cultural Designation
- SHN Construction begins on new Integrated Mental Health Centre
- SHN: Why are your fax referrals being rejected?
Public Health Notices
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month Resources
- NEW: Revised Colon Cancer Screening Fact Sheet
In the News
Community Feedback on Our Newsletter
Messages:
1. Message from the SOHT Director:
Good afternoon to all health system partners and Scarborough community,
As we share this edition on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I would like to begin with a word I have learned from Indigenous neighbours: ReconciliAction. It offers to us that reconciliation is not simply about learning and reflection. It is also about taking meaningful action.
In Scarborough, many of us are on a lifelong journey of understanding the truths of colonization and its enduring impacts on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. It is natural to wonder what role each of us can play in advancing reconciliation. In this issue, I highlight learning opportunities through our Strategic Direction 3 update, while also encouraging you to explore opportunities for personal action.
One initiative that has been part of my own journey for several years is One Day's Pay, which supports Indigenous-led organizations and causes. Whether through this initiative or another meaningful step, I hope you will join me in learning, reflecting, and taking action as part of our collective and ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
Also, as in previous editions, I would also like to share a few highlights aligned with the Scarborough Ontario Health Team's Strategic Directions. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or would like to learn more about any of this work.
Strategic Direction 1: Primary Care Transformation - Enhancing access to equitable, team-based care through leadership, co-design, and data-driven planning.
Front-line team members recently met with our Communications Specialist to identify key messages and communication channels that partners can use to help residents access care and services across Scarborough. SOHT’s Integrated Primary Care Team (IPCT) Sector Table will review the proposed approach on October 2, with a community-wide communications campaign to follow.
The Government of Ontario has announced Round 3 of IPCT funding. As in previous rounds, SOHT will support coordination and endorsement of applications for our community. In response to this role, eligible organizations have been invited to present their proposals to SOHT’s Primary Care Network Governance Committee, requesting for them to include how they will strengthen primary care, support patient attachment efforts, engage the more than 40,000 unattached individuals in our community, and align with Ontario Health's expectations for service providers and OHTs.
Strategic Direction 2: Integrating Clinical Services and Supports - Coordinating care for people with complex needs, with a focus on mental health, chronic conditions, and cross-sector collaboration.
We continue to advance our collaboration with Toronto Community Housing and local partners to implement the iHelp model in Scarborough. Partners have collectively committed 35 hours of on-site services each week at the proposed location, and we are targeting a November 2026 launch. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
SAFE ALC is now an active program, and I invite you to use this referral form to send referrals for community case conferencing that can help us to provide care to those at home and where possible prevent them from becoming hospitalized.
Strategic Direction 3: Evolving the Scarborough Ontario Health Team - Building a mature, resilient organization with refreshed governance, performance measurement, and sustainable operations.
SOHT's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Committee has compiled a range of learning opportunities and resources for partners interested in deepening their understanding, especially given Truth and Reconciliation. Please see rows 15 to 23 in this resource: 10b EDIAR Education Resource List - Summer 2024.xlsx
On September 25, Anishnawbe Health Toronto welcomed members of SOHT’s Primary Care Network Governance Committee for an opportunity to learn about Indigenous approaches to culturally grounded care. Participants also heard from Dr. James Makokis directly on the need for the leaders and providers to work with the First Peoples in a good way. We also gained insight into the services and supports offered by Anishnawbe Health Toronto. We are excited to also share that AHT will begin providing mobile health services in Scarborough starting October 5. I encourage partners to connect with their team and help strengthen pathways to care for Indigenous community members living in Scarborough.
On September 28, the Collaboration Council met in person to review the updated Collaboration and Decision-Making Agreement, especially its accompanying schedules. Members agreed that additional review time would support informed decision-making and ensure organizational representatives are well positioned to make decisions on behalf of the collective. This action will be completed in advance of the Executive Leaders’ gathering on October 15th.
A Final Reflection
With health system integration in focus, Ontario Health Teams continue to represent an opportunity to come together across organizations, sectors, and communities to improve how people experience care. Through our evolving governance structure and shared commitment to collaboration, I am confident that we can advance system integration, address gaps, and build on the strengths that already exist across Scarborough!
Thank you for your continued collaboration as we advance SOHT's vision: People will have optimal health and positive experiences through an accessible, equitable, and integrated system of care, services, and supports.
Warmly,
Surkhab Peerzada (she/her)
Director, Scarborough Ontario Health Team
#ScarboroughStrong In Focus:
At the heart of every strong community are organizations that work together to make a difference.
On September 12, our partners helped bring Your Guide to Health and Social Services in Scarborough to life. From planning and outreach to on-site support and service delivery, they showed what is possible when we come together around a shared commitment to community well-being. The event connected nearly 300 residents with health, social, and community services available right here in Scarborough.
Planning committee members from TAIBU Community Health Centre, Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, and the Scarborough Ontario Health Team, alongside many other community partners, contributed their time, expertise, resources, and leadership.
What makes this work special goes beyond the event itself. It is the relationships behind it. Every referral, resource, conversation, and collaboration strengthens the network of care that supports Scarborough residents every day.
Thank you to all our partners for your dedication and for helping build a healthier, more connected community.
Together, we are #ScarboroughStrong.
Chandranie Roberts and Surkhab Peerzada
Co-Chairs, SOHT Surge Prevention Working Group
Get Involved:
1. Communications Committee
SOHT is growing its Communications Committee and is looking for members who can help guide how SOHT tells its story and engages the communities it serves.
As a board-level advisory body, the committee weighs in on strategic communications decisions, reviews organizational content, and supports efforts to strengthen community engagement across Scarborough's health and care system.
Membership is open only to staff at SOHT partner organizations. Time commitment is 30 minutes per month. The committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 11:00 AM.
Upcoming Events:
1. SHN to hold Breast Screening Pop-up to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October is a time to raise awareness, gather community, and promote the proactive screening and early detection of breast cancer. This year, SHN’s Diagnostic Imaging program will kick off the month with a Breast Health Pop-up Day for our community. Join for an afternoon of refreshments, community feeling, and mammograms.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: General Hospital, CIBC Breast Health Clinic (Northpine Diagnostic Imaging Department, Basement)
Schedule a mammogram for October 3 to attend.
Book online (MyChart users) or by calling our phone line (no MyChart account required) at 416-431-8167.
2. A conversation with Dr. Belhaj: Fall and Winter 2025/26 Infection Prevention and Control
Date: October 23
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Location: Online
Opportunities:
1. Paediatric Dermatology Update
2. Primary Care Upskilling Programs for Registered Nurses
SOHT Partner Updates:
1. Welcome to HeartWork: The HF Care Online Shop
HeartWork grew out of HF Care’s Recovery College, where recovery is about more than receiving a service. It’s also about finding connection and building confidence by sharing what you know and having opportunities to contribute.
2. Yee Hong’s Ng Siu Chan Care Centre Receives Cultural Designation
Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care is excited to announce that our new long-term care home, the Ng Siu Chan Care Centre, has received cultural designation from the Ministry of Long-Term Care and Ontario Health. This recognizes the new home as being primarily engaged in serving the Chinese community and providing culturally responsive care for seniors.
3. SHN Construction begins on new Integrated Mental Health Centre
Construction is underway on the first patient care area of Scarborough Health Network’s (SHN) new Integrated Mental Health Centre at Birchmount Hospital.
The first phase will create two psychiatric intensive care units and a specialized unit for patients who may benefit from care outside a general inpatient setting.
The units will eventually connect with the Cope Family Mental Health Emergency Department, creating a more coordinated path between emergency assessment, active treatment, inpatient admission and community follow-up.
4. SHN: Why are your fax referrals being rejected?
When referring patients to SHN, eReferral Ontario offers a more reliable digital process, with standardized referral forms and no fax required. Search the Ocean Healthmap for the SHN clinic or service you need.
Not yet using eReferral Ontario? ontariohealth.ca/digital/innovations/ereferral.
If you are submitting a referral by fax, please download the current clinic form from shn.ca/referral-forms, complete all required fields and attach any necessary reports or test results. Avoid using older forms saved to your computer or office files.
Using the correct, complete form helps SHN direct referrals to the right service and reduces processing delays. An incomplete referral may be returned for correction and resubmission.
Public Health Notices:
2. NEW: Revised Colon Cancer Screening Fact Sheet
Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) has recently updated the public-facing colon cancer screening fact sheet to align with the ColonCancerCheck program changes that were launched in July 2026.
Community Feedback on our Newsletter:
At the Scarborough Ontario Health Team, we’re always striving to improve and better serve our community. We’d love to hear what you think about our newsletter! Your feedback helps us understand what matters most to you and ensures we provide content that’s relevant and helpful.
What do you enjoy reading? What topics would you like to see more of?
Please take a moment to share your thoughts with us by emailing us at scarboroughOHT@shn.ca. Your input is invaluable!
