Who We Serve

As part of the province’s comprehensive plan Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, local networks of IPAC expertise (IPAC Hubs) are being developed across the health system, which have been asked to work to enhance IPAC practices in community based, congregate living organizations/settings. These organizations/settings include:

  • Long-term care homes
  • Retirement homes
  • Residential settings funded by the Ministry of Health (MOH)
  • Residential settings for adults and children funded by Ministry of Children
  • Community and Social Services (MCCSS)
  • Shelters
  • Supportive housing

Through these new province-wide networks, you will be able to access IPAC expertise, collaborative assistance and just-in-time advice, guidance, and direct support on IPAC practices.

IPAC Hubs will work in coordination with Hub partners (including local hospitals, public health units, Public Health Ontario and others) to deliver the following services based on local needs and priorities, including but not limited to the following:

  • Education and Training
  • Communities of Practice
  • Supportive visits and consults
  • Best Practice Recommendations and Implementation Support
  • Coaching/Mentoring on IPAC Practices
  • Mock tracers

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why were the IPAC Hubs established? 

As part of the province’s comprehensive plan Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, local networks of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) expertise (IPAC Hubs) have been developed across the health system. 

What is the role of the IPAC Hub and what services does the IPAC Hub provide?

The role of the IPAC Hub is to build IPAC capacity in congregate living settings. The local IPAC Hub serves to provide IPAC expertise for both prevention and response in the following ways:

  • Education and Training
  • Communities of Practice
  • Supportive visits and consults
  • Best Practice Recommendations and Implementation Support
  • Coaching/Mentoring on IPAC Practices
  • Mock tracers

Who can access services of the local IPAC Hub? 

Any community based, congregate living settings can access the services of their local IPAC Hub.  Congregate living settings include: long-term care homes, retirement homes, shelters, residential and supportive housing funded by the Ministry of Health and residential settings for adults and children funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

There is no fee for obtaining services provided by the IPAC hub. 

How is the IPAC Hub contacted to request assistance?

Please click here to be redirected to our intake from. For general questions and suggestions please send us an email at @email.

Does the local IPAC hub work with the Public Health Unit?

The local IPAC Hub will work in coordination and collaboration with its partners, which includes Public Health Units.  This collaborative partnership will ensure that congregate living settings will benefit by receiving a variety of IPAC services related to local needs.

How does the IPAC Hub differ from the local Public Health Unit? 

The IPAC Hubs have been developed solely for the purpose of providing IPAC services/consultations to congregate living settings. IPAC Hubs are not responsible for enforcement action. They are mandated to provide IPAC expertise, guidance, and ongoing IPAC support and consultation to congregate living settings. 

Local Public Health is responsible for outbreak management and responding to reportable diseases.  Annual audits of long-term care and retirement homes and participation on an IPAC committee are conducted by the Public Health.

Is it beneficial to connect with the local IPAC Hub if our facility has been in contact with the local Public Health Unit? 

The IPAC Hub serves the purpose of strengthening IPAC practices within the facility by reaching out directly to offer training, consultations, and recommendations.  The IPAC Hub will work to build communities of practice across each region and provide educational supports. The IPAC Hub can complement and build on the IPAC support offered by the local Public Health Unit.

To learn more about our team members check out our Team Profiles page!