Collaborative care

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” 

– Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton

SAFER WHEN WORKING TOGETHER

As part of this patient-centered, harm reduction-focused approach to substance use, Safer Supply Ottawa encourages the collaboration of healthcare professionals and organizations across the national capital region. This includes in the community, in hospital and in many other settings. We see better engagement, treatment retention, health-related and social outcomes when people and organizations work together with patients on Safer Supply.

People Who Use Drugs

Safer Supply Ottawa recognizes and supports the notion that people who use drugs (PWUDs) are experts, knowledgeable about the culture of drug use as well as their own goals and needs. Collaborating with people who use drugs is critical to developing successful programs and address the toxic drug crisis. The expertise of people who use drugs is important in the process of establishing a treatment plan and/or harm reduction program that is successful. All providers should collaborate openly with a PWUD to establish an effective plan which is individualized, and patient centered.

Please see the below sections for recommendations for collaborating care:

SAFER COMMUNITY PATHWAYS

Safer Supply Ottawa – guidance for healthcare professionals

The Safer Supply Ottawa team, in partnership with Ottawa Public Health, has created a guiding document which outlines the structure and functions of the Safer Supply program. The purpose of the document is to promote knowledge translation and to provide information for providers wishing to engage in Safer Supply.