There are six regional maternal-child health networks (“regional networks”) in Ontario. These networks are designed to strengthen linkages among maternal-child healthcare providers and other organizations, with an overarching goal of improving health outcomes and health equity for perinatal, newborn and paediatric populations within their geographic catchment areas across Ontario.
Regional networks are intended to align with their respective Ontario Health (OH) regions and collaborate with and leverage the expertise of diverse individuals and organizations in order to advance the following four provincial priorities defined by the Ministry of Health:
- Local Gap Analysis and Planning
- Executing Improvements to Care
- Connecting and Coordinating Providers
- Informing/Providing Input to Provincial Entities
Core Elements of a Regional Network
The core elements of a network define the features and functions that can be fairly expected of every network, regardless of maturity, size, and local context, to ensure a minimum degree of consistency across networks. There are three core elements related to network structure (governance and accountability, leadership and human resources, and funding) and three related to network function (partnerships and relationship building, service delivery, and performance measurement). To learn more about the regional networks and the core elements, see the report linked below.
Maternal-Child Health Regional Networks: Core Elements for Success (May, 2023)
Regional Networks by OH Regions
West
- Maternal, Newborn, Child and Youth Network (MNCYN)
- South Ontario Maternal Child Health Network (SOMCHN)
Central
Toronto
North West/North East
East
Regional Networks Operational Form
In 2021, the regional networks came together at PCMCH to establish the Regional Networks Operational Forum (RNOF). RNOF is a community of practice comprised of the six OH Regions, PCMCH, BORN Ontario and the MOH, in addition to the six regional networks. It aims to build capacity and collaborate on efforts pertaining to shared priorities along the continuum of care. RNOF additionally creates opportunities for regional networks to share initiatives and data-driven best practices, in order to increase alignment and coordination of efforts in the implementation and evaluation of provincial priorities.
Regional Networks Article Series
Regional Collaboration in Action: Highlights from the 2025 RNOF Retreat
On December 11, 2025, PCMCH hosted a strategic retreat with government and health sector leaders from the Regional Network Operational Forum (RNOF).
How Ontario’s Regional Maternal-Child Health Networks Are Easing the Transition to Adult Care
The regional networks are working to improve the transition process for children with complex medical needs as they move from paediatric to adult care.
Advancing Care Through Education: Ontario’s Regional Maternal-Child Health Networks
Ontario’s regional maternal-child health networks (called “regional networks”) support the professional development of perinatal, neonatal and paediatric care providers throughout the province.
How Ontario’s Regional Maternal-Child Health Networks Are Building Relationships to Improve Care
Part of PCMCH’s informational series on Ontario’s regional networks, this article highlights some of the key partners engaged by the regional networks to improve perinatal and paediatric care.
Regional Maternal-Child Health Networks: The Core Elements of Success
What are the core elements that embody a regional maternal-child health network and how will they be used to improve health outcomes in perinatal and paediatric care in Ontario?
