Below are the highlights from the winter 2019 leadership council meetings: Executive Director Advisory Council (EDAC), Physician Leadership Council (PLC), Board Chair Leadership Council (BCLC), NPLC Leadership Council (NPLC LC), and IHP Advisory Council.
A New Government and Health System Reform
- Much is up in the air as the government undertakes health care reform. While nothing is final, documents leaked to the press in late January and early February give a general idea of the direction the government will go.
- The draft Health System Efficiency Act, 2019 can be seen online through several media sources. A summary of it and of the other internal documents that were leaked are on AFHTO’s website. We encourage you take a look and become better informed about the proposed changes.
- A key piece is the formation of a “super agency” that would oversee local integrated care delivery systems (ICDS) – MyCare Groups – whose function remains unclear.
- AFHTO will work with our GR firm, H&K Strategies, to arrange a webinar to review and discuss the legislation and transformation agenda, including possible implications for our members, once the expected legislation is tabled. Please stay tuned for more details.
- The Premier’s Council on Improving Health Care and Ending Hallway Medicine released its first interim report in late January. Its priorities align well with AFHTO’s pre-budget submission that was submitted a few days prior.
- The Arbitrator’s Award was issued to the Ministry and the OMA on February 19. The news release from the Ministry is here.
- AFHTO will continue to work with the new government to show that an investment in a robust primary care system will deliver a high-performing health care system, which will lead to better outcomes and patient experience.
Meetings with the Minister and the Ministry
- AFHTO met with the Minister on January 21. Mental health and addictions are among her top priorities. The meeting went well although the direction of primary care remained unclear.
- AFHTO continues to meet with officials to discuss the direction of primary care in the province.
- AFHTO is working closely with the Primary Care branch on issues such as an integration of mental health and addictions support in primary care, care coordination, and ongoing support for team-based care for more Ontarians. In a recent meeting, we were also notified that AOPs will likely be delayed this fiscal year. AFHTO will keep teams posted on timelines once we learn more.
- For the 10 or so pilot ICDSs, the Expression of Interest is expected soon. We’ll let teams know once we have more information. If your team is interested in possibly taking leadership in this new initiative, please let us know. We can ‘plant some seeds’ with the policy makers at the Ministry.
- AFHTO continues to emphasise the importance of primary care being part of integration efforts.
Local Advocacy – Time to Connect with Your MPP
- We continue to encourage teams to meet with their local MPP to demonstrate the value of team-based care for the MPP’s constituents.
- Tools and resources are online.
- The tools include key messages to explain the value of team-based care and how it aligns with the government’s priorities.
- AFHTO encourages teams be consistent with the main points to ensure the government hears the same message from MPPs about why team-based care is important as they undertake restructuring of the health care system.
- Let us know when you’re meeting with your local MPPs! Send us your pictures, stories and tag us on Twitter @afhto.
Continuing to Support Great Governance and Leadership
- As we have already let members know, the G&L program did not receive project funding for 2018/19, and project funding for 2019/20 is unknown.
- AFHTO still aims to provide support tools. Governance webcasts continue to roll out, and we continue to support teams transitioning to a skills-based board.
- Integration and collaborative governance are an expected focus of the new government. AFHTO will align training and supports under this new direction to ensure teams are adequately equipped with the tools and knowledge needed.
- A strategic planning toolkit is being prepared to support boards in developing a strategic planning process and a strategic plan. The final is expected in the coming month.
- LeaderShift opportunities continue. Sign up now!
Focus Shifting to Improvement
- As noted with the G&L Program, the QIDS program also did not receive project funding for 2018/19, and project funding for 2019/20 is unknown.
- To align with the government’s mandate, the focus of the program is shifting from measurement to improvement.
- The main priority of the QIDS Program will be continued AFHTO support for QIDSS in the field and through the newly created “Quality Improvement in Primary Care” council, which will support QIDSS in the areas of advocacy, knowledge translation and improvement.
- AFHTO is pleased that Dr. Kevin Samson has agreed to be the new Chair of the AFHTO Quality Steering Committee, which will be looking at a renewed focus on highlighting the value of team-based care.
- On March 6 (Ottawa) and March 8 (Toronto), AFHTO will be hosting two KTE workshops based on our QI Enablers study called “Building together: how to become a high performing team.” A better functioning team is better care. Registration for Ottawa is now closed, and for Toronto it is February 22.
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health spoke to several councils about OPTIMUM, a project funded by the Patient-Centred Outcomes Research Institute. They’re looking to collaborate with primary are providers to recruit 300 people for a project in optimising depression treatment in older adults. The presentation and contact information are here.
Membership Renewals and Voluntary Contributions
- A reminder that membership renewals will be going out at the end of February and early March.
- AFHTO works to serve and represent our members to the best of our ability, and we hope to see you renew your membership! With all the health system reforms currently underway, now more than ever we need a strong voice for team-based primary care.
- Please also consider a voluntary contribution to help ensure AFHTO can continue its work in advocacy, governance and quality. Contributions can flow out of the overhead budget line and there is no limit. Voluntary contribution forms will be sent with your membership renewal forms.
Any questions or comments, please contact Bryn Hamilton, Provincial Lead, Governance & Leadership Program.