When a person with a developmental disability asks for service from a health care provider, health history and contact information is not always readily available. Communication between developmental and health services has been identified as key to optimizing health services for people with developmental disabilities.

A committee was formed with the task of finding ways to facilitate communication between, physicians, hospitals and developmental service agencies. The committee examined systems that existed in other jurisdictions (example: Passports). The concerns considered included: Maintaining confidentiality; Who would be responsible for filling out the form? How could the form remain current and accurate?

The committee developed the Health Information Profile  (H.I.P.). and a Guideline for filling it in.  The H.I.P. is a fill-able form that can be emailed to agencies and can be printed on a regular printer. The H.I.P. is designed to wrap around the OHIP card so that both can be presented when the person is seeking medical care.

The H.I.P. has no identifying information with the exception of the OHIP number (without the version code). The OHIP number will give any health care provider access to the person’s full name.

Information on the H.I.P. is general and non specific with the exception of information that would be crucial to providing immediate care. Most importantly, the H.I.P. identifies and provides phone numbers for: The lead agency; the substitute decision maker; the primary physician and the pharmacy. Once the health care provider knows who to contact, information can be shared that will facilitate optimal health interventions.

For more information about the H.I.P., please contact the Health Care Facilitator for the Community Networks of Specialized Care in your region:

East:
Richelle Uens   ruens@ongwanada.com
Liz Kacew   ekacew@solution-s.ca

Central:
Bev Vaillancourt   bvaillancourt@clhmidland.on.ca
Angela Gonzales   Angela.Gonzales@SurreyPlace.on.ca
Violet Atkinson   vatkinson@cwsds.ca

North:
Camille Bigras   cbigras@handstfhn.ca
Laura McCauley  lmccauley@handstfhn.ca

South:
Tom Archer   tarcher@bethesdaservices.com
Cindy Chatzis   cchatzis@wgh.on.ca