Dear AFHTO Member EDs, Lead Physicians and Board Chairs,
As many of you know, the government recently announced new funding to expand existing interprofessional primary care teams and/or create up to 18 new teams in communities with the greatest need. The expression of interest (EOI) form, important information on applying, and tools are available at https://www.ontariohealth.ca/system-planning/funding-opportunities-primary-care . This message is a reminder that completed applications are due to Ontario Health by 5 pm Eastern Daylight Time on June 16, 2023.
It is important to note that there will no longer be an opportunity for in-year unsolicited funding requests to the Ministry of Health, so now is the time to make your asks. This EOI application, while time consuming, is the best way to show the Ministry of Health what the current need in our sector is. We also want to clarify that the $30M of funding associated with this EOI is currently based on a two-year commitment. From the 2023 Ontario Budget:
“Primary care and family physicians are the foundation of Ontario’s health care system. To help make care more convenient for people, the government is investing $60 million over two years to expand existing teams and create up to 18 new primary care teams in communities with the greatest need.” (Additional budget highlights can be found here.)
While this EOI does not presently commit to long-term, sustainable funding, we are hopeful that future funding announcements will be used to sustain the initiatives for successful applicants and enable the provision of base funding. There is also the possibility that there will be federal funding coming to sustain investments and to support other areas/teams that were unsuccessful in this initial EOI.
AFHTO is confident that showing a comprehensive assessment of the current need will help encourage additional investment, and we strongly encourage members to apply to the EOI to demonstrate the current need in your communities.
On May 18th, the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health hosted two technical webinar sessions to guide applicants through the EOI application. The release of these webinar recordings is still undergoing the Ministry of Health approval process, so they are currently unavailable. Below you can find some of the key questions and answers from the technical briefings. Additional questions and answers from Ontario Health can be found here.
We request that applicants send AFHTO a copy of their submission once finalized, so that we can use the applications for our ongoing advocacy efforts. If you have any questions about the EOI application, you can contact your Ontario Health region. You can also direct questions for AFHTO to info@afhto.ca or Michael Scarpitti, Director of Strategic Communications and Government Relations at michael.scarpitti@afhto.ca.
Q and A from Technical Briefing
1.Max funding for individual EOIs?
a. No, there is no maximum funding per application. Having said this, there is a lot of work that goes into the EOI, so MOH will spread funds across where the greatest need is. This process will help MOH and OH understand the gaps and help plan for the future and make decisions across the system.
2.Should EOIs only submit what they think will likely get funded?
a. No, put a full request in so that MOH understands the needs. You can reach out to OH contacts for thoughts on this.
3.How important is OHT involvement?
a. It is important but not mandatory to have an OHT endorsement. The vision overall is to have OHTs progress so that care is integrated. If you don’t have OHT endorsement, you should give a rationale as to why not so that MOH understands the issue.
4.Will funding be given on a recurring basis?
a. This is a two year funding commitment as articulated in the budget.
5.Is there an Excel spreadsheet for the budget?
a. No there is not, but MOH will provide an Excel spreadsheet via the OH website or through the OH regions so that applicants have an Excel spreadsheet (update: you can ask your regional OH contact for the recommended budget template. It is not posted on the website).
6.Is MOH looking for expansion proposals or net new?
a. MOH is looking for both. MOH encourages innovative models and existing models. Could be net new site of an existing team as well. Readiness to get started is a very important component.
7.Is more money going to FHTs and CHCs only?
a. No, this is an open process. Existing teams have governance in place, but there can be new groups applying.
8.Can family docs in multiple FHOs apply together to become a FHT?
a. Yes. Relationship with FHTs is to support operating and allied health. Part of this agreement is affiliated physician groups and this includes FHOs. Having multiple FHOs affiliated with an FHT is fine. They can remain separate FHOs.
9.Can applicants submit multiple EOIs?
a. MOH doesn’t understand the question. If you’re a single organization, have one EOI. You can put multiple ideas in the same EOI.
10.When are decisions made and dollars flowing?
a. Goal is to have successful applicants announced in the Fall 2023 and then executing agreements.
11.Will the MOH review lead to partial funding?
a. EOIs could get partial funding. Applicants should submit their full request based on needs.
12.What will the evaluation process look like? Does the applicant discuss with OH and MOH during review?
a. Yes, there will be a back and forth discussion with the applicant. Applicants should submit the full request. Ontario Health will use an evaluation process, including criteria to assess equity, to review and assess EOI submissions. Based on the evaluation framework, OH will make recommendations to the Ministry for funding approval to expand and/or create interprofessional primary care teams.
13.Can OHTs endorse multiple EOIs?
a. Yes.
14.Is there funding to support small groups of physicians to apply to the EOI?
a. No, but primary care stakeholders (associations) have supports. But no dedicated funding from MOH and OH.
15.Any work being done on retention for IHPs that want to work in team-based care? Are there salary levels suggested?
a. There is a salary guide, but the relationship between IHPs and their employer is between them and their employer. Recruitment and retention is an ongoing challenges across health care. Recruitment and retention strategies are ongoing. MOH will follow up on this to summarize.
16.One month isn’t enough time to connect with Indigenous people.
a.That is the timeline that applicants have. Reach out if engagement support is needed.
17.Can an office add in IHPs?
a. Yes, this would be a new team.
18.Which model is preferred?
a. You can apply for whatever model you want. MOH is agnostic on the model.
19.Is there Indigenous evaluation on the EOI? What about equity?
a. MOH will look at increased access for unattached patients and patients with poorer health outcomes. PHO marginalization index and data can be used in the application. MOH is open to new data, which will be considered.
20.Is there access to data on unattached patients?
a. Yes, health care experience survey has some info. There are other sources that MOH can share info on unattached places (i.e. Inspire). OH will supply this data to applicants.
21.What about the 50% nursing or IHP guideline?
a. This guideline will be looked at in proposals.
22.Proposals can be submitted in French?
a. Yes.
23.Do we need to include the Operational Overhead required for our expansion as part of our EOI?
a. No. MOH/OH will add in the overhead when developing budgets against each position. That is why the budget template is actually an optional bit. In the end the FTEs is the important component.
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