Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) and the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland have launched the county’s first Essential Care Partner (ECP) Pilot Program, formally recognizing the critical role caregivers play in patient care.
The program allows patients to select one or two caregivers, who are then included as part of the care team and provided with training, resources, and identification badges. Participation is optional, and caregivers do not replace professional hospital staff.
The pilot operates on NHH’s first-floor units, covering Restorative Care, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Integrated Stroke, and Palliative Care. Developed with guidance from the Ontario Caregiver Organization and co-designed by a working group of hospital staff, volunteers, and people with lived experience, the program aims to reduce caregiver stress, strengthen trust between families and care teams, and improve patient outcomes.
Building on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, ECPs will receive personal protective equipment and training to maintain access to patients even during outbreaks, aligning with infection prevention policies. Eligible caregivers include family members, friends, or paid caregivers, including substitute decision-makers or powers of attorney.
NHH serves west Northumberland County, including Cobourg, Port Hope, Alderville First Nation, and surrounding townships, with a population of approximately 67,000. The hospital offers a full range of acute, post-acute, and outpatient services, supported by more than 850 staff, physicians, volunteers, and regional partners.
The ECP Pilot Program reflects NHH and OHT-N’s commitment to patient- and caregiver-centered care. Patients admitted to participating units are invited to identify caregivers who are important to them, helping to build a more connected, supportive, and inclusive hospital experience.
For more information or to learn how to participate, visit Essential Care Partner Pilot Program.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
