On February 2, 2015 the Honourable Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins presented his plan for health care — Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care – on four themes: access, connecting patients to the services they need in their community, informing and educating patients on health care options, and protecting the quality, value and sustainability of health care services. There is one specific mention of primary care in the Action Plan. It reads – Quality Primary Care We know that access to quality primary care varies across the province. Some Ontarians have timely access to a family doctor, nurse practitioner and integrated health care teams and some do not. Together with our partners, we will bring forward a plan to ensure our primary care providers are organized around the needs of our population, such as those in northern, rural and fast-growing communities, focussing on greater accountability and access for these individuals and families. The plan does not go into any detail. The Minister did note in his speech the need to ensure access to “team-based, integrated, coordinated primary care,” and stated the report of the Expert Advisory Committee on Strengthening Primary Health, co-chaired by David Price and Elizabeth Baker would point the way. The Home & Community Care Expert Panel, chaired by Gail Donner, will also speak to the role of primary care. The Minister has received reports from both of these expert groups and we anticipate they will be released in the next month. The action plan does not mention recruitment and retention in primary care. Immediately after the speech, AFHTO’s Executive Director had the opportunity for a brief chat with the Minister. Before she said anything, the Minister’s first words were, “Recruitment and retention in primary care … we have to act on this.” A follow-up meeting with staff in the Premier’s Office and Minister’s Office is being organized. Additional items for AFHTO members to note are the province’s commitment to:
- Increase access to primary care providers and same day/next day appointments.
- Expand Health Links in more communities across Ontario.
- Integrate physiotherapists and other types of health care providers into the family health practice.
- Allow nurse practitioners to prescribe assistive devices.
- Explore ways to improve dementia supports, including new memory clinics.
- Increase transparent reporting on the quality and value of care to ensure the sustainability of the health system.
There are many details that are not yet known. AFHTO will continue to work with and on behalf of members to monitor, consult, advocate, inform and support you as events unfold. Links:
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