MASS LBP is working with the South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) as they develop their three-year Integrated Health Services Plan (IHSP).

After completing a two-day workshop with health service providers from across the LHIN, MASS LBP is preparing for phase three: the Citizens' Reference Panel on Health Priorities and Integration. Recently, MASS performed a civic lottery to select candidates for the Panel.

36 citizens from the South East were randomly selected through a unique 'civic lottery' process designed by MASS LBP. We sent a detailed invitation letter to a randomly generated list of 5000 citizens. The letter is a non-transferable lottery ticket inviting the bearer to opt into a pool of respondents. Once the response deadline had passed, the 'winners' were then blindly selected from a pool of respondents until a given number of demographic attributes had been satisfied.

The draw took place on February 11, 2009 at the MASS LBP office in Toronto.

Thirty-six prospective panelists were selected to ensure a fair and evenly distributed representation of the LHIN's population. Prospective participants were selected according to three criteria. The northern, western, central and eastern regions were ensured representation proportional to their population. As well, the panel reflects the LHIN's age distribution and maintains an even gender balance.

As part of its ongoing efforts to engage the citizens of the South East, the LHIN will convene the Citizens' Reference Panel on three Saturdays in February and March 2009. They will hear expert presentations and engage in a series of activities with facilitators to help panelists work collaboratively to put forward a set of ideas.

The Citizens' Reference Panel will be followed by a series of public meetings in advance of the draft IHSP delivered in June 2009.