The Making of Ontario's Emergency Health Services System

In 1981, the Ontario Ministry of Health began a lengthy and systematic process to build a modern and integrated Emergency Health Services System. This article outlines the Ministry's vision for emergency health services, the strategy used to realize this vision, and the accomplishments which have been achieved so far. Some of the concepts used successfully in this building process are also discussed, including the marketing of the systems approach, an emphasis on co-ordination and integration of efforts towards a well-defined common goal, and the involvement of an extensive network of health-care planners and providers in achieving consensus and co-operation. Finally, the article raises a number of major issues which must be addressed.