How independent are LHINs? Do they have to report back to the government?
The government will always have the ultimate responsibility for providing Ontarians with high quality, accessible health care services. As crown agencies, LHINs work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to ensure that unique local health care needs and priorities are addressed. The government continues to set the principles, goals, and baseline requirements for all LHINs to ensure that all Ontarians have access to a consistent set of health care services when and where they need them, regardless of what LHIN they reside in. At the same time, LHINs have the flexibility to address unique local population health needs and priorities. The relationship between LHINs and the government is clearly delineated in a Memorandum of Understanding and the Ministry-LHIN Accountability Agreements.
