Advanced Health Links Guide

On November 12^th the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care (MOHLTC) released the Guide to the Advanced Health Links Model to build on the momentum of Health Links and evolve it to a more mature state of operation and to support the delivery of care to all of Ontario’s complex patients. The Guide elaborates on the Advanced Health Links Model that was introduced at the June 18th ministry and LHIN hosted webinar. Overall, the Advanced Health Links Model outlines activities in 4 areas: Standardizes key components of the Health Links Model to enable greater levels of consistency;

• Pg 10: proposes guidelines to facilitate the identification of the target complex patient population.
• Pg 12: streamlines the governance and responsibilities of Health Links lead organizations

Enhances accountability for performance through a strengthened performance management framework;

• Pg 11: Introduces 3 new indicators:

1. Reduction of 30-day readmissions to hospital;
2. Reduction in home care visits referral time; and,
3. Reduction in the number of ED visits for conditions best managed elsewhere.

• Pg 15: “ensuring Health Links performance measures are aligned and advance other ministry priorities including a strengthened primary care sector and modernized home and community care.”

Redesigns the Health Links Funding Model to support LHIN accountability and scaled-up Health Links across the province; and,

• Pg 17: introduces sustainability planning

Facilitates adoption and alignment of the Health Links model to support wider ministry and government priorities and system integration.

• Pg 18: “Strengthened accountability and performance in primary care: work will be done to situate and align the Advanced Health Links Model with the work underway to support a strengthened primary care sector.”

Over 2015/16, the ministry will work with LHINs and Health Links to facilitate transition to the Advanced Health Links Model. Health Quality Ontario (HQO) is a critical partner in this work, and will develop a number of tools and in-field supports to aid LHINs and Health Links with transition. AFHTO’s Health Link CoP will also continue to provide support as needed to our member Health Link leaders throughout the transition to the Advanced Health Links Model.