(sent to the EDs of AFHTO member organizations)
Happy new year to all our members! Wishing all our members a healthy and happy 2018!
Update on 2017 Year-End Meeting with the Ministry
On December 19th, 2017 AFHTO met with the Primary Health Care Branch at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and here is a synopsis of what was discussed:
- FHT Contract
The Ministry received feedback from the OMA in early December on the draft FHT contract and is currently working on addressing some their questions. It is anticipated that AFHTO will receive a copy of the new FHT contract in late January/early February so that it can go through our own legal review before it is rolled out to the FHTs– more details on this and education webinars will be provided once we hear back on confirmed timelines from the Ministry.
- Annual Operating Plan Roll-Out
The annual operating plan (AOP) for fiscal year 2018-2019 is scheduled to roll out in late January/early February with an anticipated due date at the end of March 2018. AFHTO and the Ministry will host a joint webinar on the AOP in late February/early March to help teams with the development of their plans.
- QIDSS Program Evaluation
As mentioned previously, the Ministry will be undergoing an evaluation on the QIDSS Program which will seek feedback from the QIDSS, host and partner FHTs. It is anticipated that this will roll out before the end of the fiscal year. Further details about the Ministry evaluation will be shared when received.
- Care Coordination
Work has started in many LHINs with regards to better integration of primary care with home and community care. The AFHTO leadership report on care coordination from the October 2017 Conference and LHIN polling results were shared with all LHINs and the Ministry, including the Minister’s office, and has generated a lot of conversation. There is a real opportunity for AFHTO members to lead the way on advancing care coordination in primary care so if you have not yet done so, use this report and the results to speak further to your LHIN about how well positioned your teams are in advancing this priority.
- Expansion of Team-Based Care
Proposals for fiscal year 2017-2018 have been received from the LHINs in the 20 priority sub regions in the province where there was identified gaps in interprofessional team-based care. Work has already started for further expansion of teams in 2018-2019 so if this is an interest for your team, make sure you are having discussions with your LHIN and let us know if there is anything AFHTO can do to help.
- MSAAs with the LHINs
Under the Patients First Act, FHTs and NPLCs have been designated as health service providers (HSPs) which allows them access to LHIN funds. However, the current Multi-Sector Accountability Agreement (MSAA) that is used by the LHINs with their HSPs does not align with the FHT and NPLC funding agreements so AFHTO is working with the Ministry and the LHINs to look at how to better align the agreements so that our member teams can start accessing program service and delivery funds directly from the LHINs.
Employment Standards Act (ESA) Changes
On December 5, 2017, AFHTO co-hosted a webinar with Maria McDonald from McDonald Health Law on Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 which includes substantial changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA). If you missed the session, the full recording is available on the AFHTO website which also includes the Timeline for Bill 148 Amendments.
HOOPP
Membership in the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is a pre-requisite for joining HOOPP. Last summer we advocated for and received an updated commitment from the OHA to offer a rebate for a reduced membership rate for AFHTO members that have annual budgets of under $2 million, PROVIDED THAT at least 60% of AFHTO members sign up by January 31, 2018 (reduced from 90%).
Rebate details:
- Eligibility for the OHA membership refund applies to all AFHTO members with budgets of $2 million and under, provided that at least 60% of AFHTO member teams sign up
- In February 2018, the OHA board will determine if 60% target is reached, and then each eligible team with Revenue of under $ 2 Million will receive the reduced membership fee of $1,030 plus tax
- Fees are not fixed and subject to an annual review by the board.
The deadline is fast approaching so if you’re not a member, please find out if HOOPP, and consequently OHA membership, is right for your team.
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