On October 28, 2025, Oak Valley Health, Southlake Health, and Stevenson Memorial Hospital will go live with an upgraded electronic medical record system. Community members are asked to please be patient as teams adjust to the upgraded system that integrates new digital care processes, significantly reducing paper-based protocols. All three health care organizations will continue to deliver safe, high-quality care throughout this important transition.
The three health care organizations are partners in the Shared Health Information Network Exchange (SHINE) which helps connect care across York Region, Durham Region, and Simcoe County. Over the past year and a half, they have worked closely with their technology vendor MEDITECH to strengthen their shared electronic medical record system. The upgraded system will transition from mostly paper-based processes to a more electronic system for clinicians and staff, supporting more streamlined, coordinated care. Patients will benefit from improved communication between care teams and enhanced safeguards designed to support patient safety at every step.
While the upgraded system will deliver long-term benefits, its implementation will involve important workflow changes that will require teams to adjust.
Accessing care during the transition
All emergency departments (EDs) will remain open during the transition. However, patients, families, and visitors may experience longer wait times as hospital teams adapt to the changes.
In Ontario, patients can also receive care in several other settings. Patients who are not experiencing life-threatening or serious conditions can visit an urgent care centre, a walk-in clinic, or their primary care provider depending on their symptoms. Some communities may also have access to virtual care options and community health clinics.
While hospital emergency departments are open 24/7 and always here to support patients when needed, they are best for life-threatening or serious conditions such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, severe trauma, and high fever in infants under three months old. Choosing the right option can help reduce wait times and ensure the emergency department is available for those who need it most.
