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Tag: Access to Care

  • 2023 Conference Themes

    2023 Conference Themes

    Team-Based Care: Making it a reality for all

    text says Team Based Care: Making it a reality for all in white font on a blue streaked background, like hyperspace

     

    The AFHTO 2023 Conference program is built around 4 core themes.

    1. Using a population-based approach to provide care to the community
    2. Optimising teams’ capacity and creating efficiencies
    3. Organizing primary care to advance Ontario Health Teams
    4. Embedding mental health and home care in primary care

     

    ConFERENCE Theme Descriptions

    Download a printable PDF of the theme descriptions here.

     

    1. Using a population-based approach to provide care to the community

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Expanding access to teams for unattached patients
    • Partnerships to facilitate population-based health approaches
    • Utilising data to inform population-based planning
    • Collaborative governance / Governance at the OHT level

     

    2. Optimising teams’ capacity and creating efficiencies

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Triage in a world of virtual online booking
    • Focus on non-digital methods of integration including back-office integration, common clinical pathways, cross-team collaborations/regional approaches to care
    • Creating operational efficiencies through digital health tools
    • Interprofessional Health Providers and full scope of practice
    • Staff and provider wellness
    • Recruitment and retention

    3. Organizing primary care to advance Ontario Health Teams

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Building Primary Care Networks- success case studies
    • Integrating Primary Care Networks with OHTs
    • Jurisdictional review of organized primary care

    4. Embedding mental health and home care in primary care

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Increasing access to mental health and addictions support at the population level
    • Supporting Mental Health Promotion & Prevention (including support for Children and Youth)
    • Mental health pathways in Ontario Health Teams
    • Primary Care in the home
    • Increasing collaborations between providers

  • Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

    Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

    Originally posted Mar. 17, 2020. Last updated July 7, 2023

    Shift to Virtual Care - Primary Care Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Document

    On Thursday, March 19 Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a memo Re: Managing Health Worker Illness and Return to Work COVID-19. In the document he makes recommendations related to travel and return to work for health care providers. He also notes:
     
    While other services are decreasing their operations, in health care you are being called upon to care for patients and to be ready for surge. I am asking, where there may be an opportunity, for all health system employers to facilitate work arrangements that enable appropriate employees to work from home or to work virtually, if not re-deployable.
     
    Health system employers should also consider a review of their services and practices to identify how they can provide services to patient groups virtually or remotely.
     
    These are uncertain times, but the recommendation is to try to accommodate care for patients virtually as much as possible. Below are resources to assist teams. These will be updated as they become available.

    We are collecting stories from our members on they have shifted to virtual care in response to COVID-19. Summary of findings and a resource table can be found here: Shift to Virtual Care-Primary care response to COVID-19. We will continue to update this document so if you would like share any stories please email: improve@afhto.ca.

     

    Virtual Care & Digital Health

    Guidance Documents
    Virtual Care Platforms, Supports & Fact Sheets for Teams

    For EMR Screening Tools and Toolbars, see the Infection Control Resources And Tools page. 

    Consent for Electronic Communication
    Policies

    For IT resources while clinics transition to virtual care during COVID-19, refer to Management And Operations, Human Resources And COVID-19

    Documents for Patients

    To capture the patient experience with virtual care please refer to the Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey. 

    Webinars and Recordings
    Special Offers to Teams

     

    Some resources have restricted access: * Members-only resources, ** Triad-only resources

    Return to: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

    Disclaimer: The information in this resource centre represents general guidance developed by AFHTO and their partners, gathered through a rapid, non-systematic scan of relevant and valuable guidelines with an intent to support you in a timely fashion. The information reflects best knowledge at the time of writing and is subject to revision based on rapidly changing circumstances and conditions. As new best practice evidence emerges, recommendations may evolve. The resources above should be considered supplementary guidance and are not meant to replace clinical judgement or organizational directives.

  • Bits & Pieces: systems innovation grant and more

    Bits & Pieces: systems innovation grant and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Youth Opportunities Fund- applications open
    • Welcome to Michael Scarpitti
    • OurCare & Healthy Debate: Give me a primary-care provider who understands me
    • Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory
    • Relevant news and reports- prenatal care for refugees
    • Want to be a part of PSHSA’s HC Advisory Council?
    • RNs needed as research volunteers
    • Upcoming events including Surgical Site Infections Quality Standard Webinar, and more

    Youth Opportunities Fund- applications open

    AFHTO members and/or partners may be eligible to apply for the Systems Innovation Stream of Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Youth Opportunities Fund, a grant worth up to $250,000 per year for  2 to 5 years.

    • The System Innovations Stream supports collaboratives that are strengthening the quality and responsiveness of systems so they work better for youth facing systemic barriers.
    • Lead Organization Registration Deadline: June 2, 2023
    • Grant Application Deadline: June 20, 2023

    Information Sessions: April 6 and 19, 2023

    Welcome to Michael Scarpitti

    Michael, smiling, is wearing a dark suit, with white shirt and dark striped tie

    We’re happy to introduce Michael Scarpitti, our new Director, Strategic Communications and Government Relations.

    Michael joins AFHTO with a strong background in health systems policy and strategy. Prior to joining AFHTO, he led health systems transformation work for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, supporting the integration of mental health and addictions agencies into Ontario Health Teams.

    Michael has a strong interest in value-based health care and the role of primary care in the patient experience. As a consultant with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health, he provided strategic direction on connected care services and the implementation of the Patient’s Medical Home. In his spare time, he enjoys teaching pharmacoeconomics to students studying regulatory affairs at the post-graduate level. Michael has an M.Sc. from the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University and an MPA from the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University.

    Welcome Michael to the team!

    OurCare & Healthy Debate: Give me a primary-care provider who understands me

    OurCare What's most important to patients? 98% of Canadians feel it is important that everyone have access to a family doctor, NP or team of health professionals that they can see regularly.

    Find out what patients and caregivers value most in a primary-care provider and health-care system in the latest blog published for the special series by Healthy Debate and OurCare, Give me a primary-care provider who understands me.

    And are you interested in how virtual care should be integrated into our system? Check out the second post, Virtual care must be integrated into public system, not driven by profit .

    Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory

    IHPs in AFHTO member teams are encouraged to sign up to AFHTO’s IHP Directory! This directory will help improve AFHTO’s communication to IHPs, and it will support IHP networking, information sharing, and collaboration.

    After you sign up, you will be emailed a link to a spreadsheet with the names, professions, team names, and work emails of all IHPs who have signed up for open communication. You may sort by profession to see the names of those in the same discipline as you.

    AFHTO will be checking the directory and emailing links to new registrants every 1-2 weeks. We look forward to improved communication from AFHTO to IHPs, and across IHPs in AFHTO-member teams!

    Relevant news and reports- prenatal care for refugees

    Want to be a part of PSHSA’s HC Advisory Council?
    Public Services Health & Safety Association would like an AFHTO member to sit on its health care advisory council. You can find terms of reference here. If you’re interested, please contact info@afhto.ca.

    RNs needed as research volunteers

    research volunteers needed

    Researchers from the School of Nursing at McMaster University are looking for volunteers who are Registered Nurses working in primary health care settings within Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Hamilton, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, or London. The purpose of the study is to understand how Registered Nurses working in primary health care settings facilitate access to health care for recent immigrants. Potential participants will be screened during an initial telephone call to determine if they are eligible for the study.

    The study involves a one-on-one interview that will take approximately 45-60 minutes and will involve one session. The interview will take place using Zoom (or by phone) and interview date and times are flexible. All participants will receive a $20 gift card following completion of the interview.

    For more information about this study, or to volunteer for this study, please contact Eugenia Ling via email: Linge6@mcmaster.ca.

    Surgical Site Infections Quality Standard Webinar, Apr. 13, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Surgical Site Infections quality standard and describe how it can drive quality improvement and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, Apr. 18, 2023
    This year’s free QI Innovations conference is for mental health and addiction providers and system planners who are interested in data driven decision making and quality improvement. Register here.

    Autistic people and the COVID-19 pandemic – what have we learned so far? Apr. 27, 2023
    Hosted by CAMH. Register here.

    How can peer counsellors extend interprofessional teams and enhance care? Apr. 28, 2023
    Part of the DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series, join a virtual fireside chat on incorporating peer counsellors into interprofessional care teams to enhance care. Register here.

  • $30 million new/expansion funding for teams

    Dear Executive Directors/Administrative Leads,

    On Feb 2nd we shared Minister Jones launch of the Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care. This plan includes an investment of $30 million to create up to 18 new teams and help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care for vulnerable, marginalized, and unattached patients to ensure they are able to connect to care where and when they need it. While the number of 18 was noted in the plan, the Ministry may also be looking at expansion of EXISTING teams and new satellite locations and will share their expectations as they work through their internal planning.

    As we await further information around next steps in the funding implementation process, we encourage all teams to begin thinking about and preparing for the call for proposals. We expect Ministry/OH will release guidance documents towards the end of March with a submission timeline of end of April. We have requested Ministry/OH to provide a technical briefing and review of the relevant documents and process once finalized. We will share the date of this webcast once confirmed.

    To get an idea of what the application template MIGHT look like, here is the link to the 2017-19 IPC Team Expansion Business Case Template. We anticipate the new application process will be similar in terms of structure and big categories for content. Below are also number of principles from the previous process that you may want to keep in mind to help create a successful submission:

    Planning Principles

    • Readiness for early implementation
    • Population health based planning approach
    • Promote equitable access to interdisciplinary primary care across the OHT
    • Enhance access to appropriate, linguistically and culturally sensitive care and services
    • Engage patients and caregivers in planning
    • Integrate and collaborate with local health, social and community service providers
    • Develop model for comprehensive, continuous and coordinated care
    • Enhance attachment, accessibility and timeliness of primary care
    • Enhanced quality improvement and safety
    • Reduce barriers to access to care for vulnerable populations (e.g., Francophone and Indigenous populations)
    • In areas where teams exist, it would be optimal to leverage these existing teams to minimize administrative costs and expend the majority of the allocation on direct patient care.

    Implementation Principles

    • Services/programs reflect OHT population health needs
    • Services/programs are open to the wider community (i.e. populations beyond the rostered or registered patients)
    • Patient and community engagement is a component of planning and governance
    • Health equity is a focus of programs/services
    • Increased programming that is planned and delivered in a culturally sensitive manner, with special focus on addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities, including Indigenous peoples and Francophone Ontarians in Ontario
    • Focus on quality, including reporting on key performance indicators
    • Governance structure that includes community members to ensure local population needs are met
    • Improved attachment and access to primary care across OHT
    • Embedded care coordination and care navigation in primary care settings

    Please also note that the $30M is inclusive of increases in base funding for those teams experiencing overhead budget pressures – the process for increases in your base budget will be included in your annual operating plan which is set to be released imminently. Please make sure you join Fernando Tavares for a Q&A on March 28th @ 12:00pm where he will also touch upon the process to apply for increased base funding and provide an overview of this year’s annual operating plan and governance attestation documents. Register here.

    As always, please contact us if you have any questions.

  • Bits & Pieces: 2023 pre-budget submission and more

    Bits & Pieces: 2023 pre-budget submission and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • 2023 pre-budget submission and a new Canada Health Transfer agreement
    • Collaboration in team-based primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: study
    • COVID vaccinations and digital supports materials
    • Member stories
    • Coming soon: Updated High Risk OBSP genetic assessment referral criteria and forms
    • Seeking participants for an online survey about improving osteoarthritis care
    • Seeking patients for early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease
    • Upcoming events including Using Culturally Safe Practices to Build Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous Communities and more

     

    2023 pre-budget submission and a new Canada Health Transfer agreement

    over of AFHTO 2023 prebudget submission titled Primary Care: The Foundation of the Healthcare System. It's an overhead view of five people in blue scrubs and white coats meet around a white table with coffee, paper and laptops.

    On February 6, 2023 AFHTO submitted our recommendations to the government for their 2023 budget. Recommendations 1 and 2 of our 2023 pre-budget submission was done in collaboration with partners in the Primary Care Collaborative and recommendation 3 and 4 are two other recommendations AFHTO is advocating for.

    Our recommendations are broken into four sections:

    1. Make team-based primary care available to more Ontarians through an investment of an additional $75 million per year for 10 years.
    2. Address the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table.
    3. Provide mental health and addictions services and home and community care in coordination with primary care.
    4. Provide resources to support the implementation of primary care networks (PCNs) and recognize PCNs as the organizing model for primary care.

    Read more here.

    And in related news, read the Primary Care Collaborative’s release on today’s meeting between the Prime Minister and premiers here:

    Collaboration in team-based primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: study

    Now published in BMJ Open, “A qualitative study of collaboration in interprofessional primary care teams during the COVID-19 pandemic” is our study with Drs. Rachelle Ashcroft, Catherine Donnelly and others. “Results revealed the importance of collaboration for provider well-being, and the challenges of providing collaborative team-based primary care in the pandemic context. Caution against converting primary care collaboration to predominantly virtual modalities postpandemic is recommended.” Read more here.

    COVID vaccinations and digital supports materials

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update multiple pages on our site with resources and news:

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Member stories

    Markham FHT – Dr. Allan Grill on how primary care is dealing with demand

    St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT – Dr. Tara Kiran contributes to The Globe and Mail– “We need bold reform to fix family health care”

    Coming soon: Updated High Risk OBSP genetic assessment referral criteria and forms

    Ontario Health wishes to inform everyone of some upcoming changes to the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). The High Risk OBSP was launched in 2011 to support organized screening of people at high risk for breast cancer. The program now screens approximately 13,000 participants each year with mammography and screening breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (or screening breast ultrasound if breast MRI is not medically appropriate). Read the full email here.

    Seeking participants for an online survey about improving osteoarthritis care

    With funding from the Arthritis Society, Dr. Anna Gagliardi and University Health Network (UHN) researchers interviewed 27 women with osteoarthritis (OA) and 31 healthcare professionals to identify strategies needed to improve OA care for diverse women, and possibly other disadvantaged groups. They are now seeking women with OA, family physicians, and healthcare researchers to participate in a two-round online survey. They will ask you to complete the Round One online survey (about 20 minutes). A few weeks later, they will send you anonymous results, and ask you to complete the Round Two survey (about 10 minutes).

    ELIGIBLE WOMEN:
    — Have suspected or confirmed osteoarthritis
    — Are aged 40 or older
    — Were born in or have lived in Canada for 10 years or more
    — Can speak and understand English language
    — Represent the following ethno-cultural group(s): Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani, African, Caribbean
    ***If you are a woman interested in participating or wish to learn more about the study, please contact: Angelina.abbaticchio@uhn.ca. Women will receive an e-giftcard for their participation.

    ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:
    — Are a family physician practicing in Canada
    — AND/OR are a researcher in the area(s) of health services research on OA or inequities in women’s health
    ***If you are a healthcare professional interested in participating or wish to learn more about the study, please contact: madeline.theodorlis@uhn.ca.

    Seeking patients for early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease

    The Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST), Toronto Memory Program, Retispec and Summerhill Optometry are conducting a study, funded by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative. The aim is to enable early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease through increased awareness and assessment in accessible community-based settings. While they have 3 assessment locations in Toronto, they are also open to travel to your location if there is significant interest. Cognitive Assessments are delivered by trained social workers. The completed assessments will be provided to the patient’s primary care provider for interpretation and follow-up. AST will provide services to those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
    The study is open to individuals 65 years and over who are experiencing memory problems, but do not have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia.

    Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

    Inclusion - Adults (≥ 65 years of age); Able and willing to provide informed consent; Have a memory complaint. Exclusion- Prior diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease or MCI; Exclusion Criteria for RetiSpec scan Have contraindications to the use of mydriatic (dilation) drops (for RetiSpec imaging procedure only)

    To learn more:

    If you would like to find out more by speaking to someone directly, please contact Sangeeta Semwal at DACstudy@alz.to or 416-708-8423.

    Canadian Health and Well-Being In Developmental Disabilities, Feb. 8, 2023
    Digital conference hosted by Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Find out more here.

    Using Culturally Safe Practices to Build Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous Communities, Feb. 9, 2023
    Hosted by Indigenous Primary Health Care Council. Register here.

    New Horizons Speaker Series webinar, Feb.10, 2023
    What are the roles of virtual only clinics and technology-enabled care in the future of the health care system? How will these shape the future of primary care in Ontario? Join U of T Department of Family and Community Medicine faculty members for this discussion. Register here.

    Cybersecurity and Canadian Health Care: Where do vulnerabilities lie? Feb. 14, 2023
    Hosted by The Globe and Mail. Register here.

    OHT Engagement Learning Series – Session 3 of 7: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Feb. 21, 2023
    Hosted by Institute for Better Health and Trillium Health Partners. Register here.

    Strategies to Increase Client and Family Engagement, Feb. 27, 2023
    Hosted by RNAO and presented by Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: member stories, welcome to Taryn and more

    Bits & Pieces: member stories, welcome to Taryn and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Welcome to Taryn Jacquard
    • OurCare survey results are here
    • Fee code for Long COVID and more
    • New quality standard – sickle cell disease
    • Reports and relevant news – improving access in rural Canada and boosting balance
    • Population Health: Governance (free course), starts Jan. 31, 2023
    • Upcoming events including COVID vaccinations and digital supports and more

     

    A group of people in business clothes sit around a table in a meeting room with a white board behind them.

     

     

    Member stories

    Hamilton FHT– the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health visited Hamilton FHT to discuss their primary care and mental health integrated service model (picture right)

    City of Lakes FHT – OMA research finds virtual care not associated with strain on emergency departments

    Harrow Health Centre and Windsor FHTs – Windsor and Harrow Health Centre FHTs Receive grant for oral health care support

     

     

    Taryn is wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. She's sitting on the floor with her back against a white wall.

    Welcome to Taryn Jacquard

    We’re happy to introduce Taryn Jacquard as our new executive assistant and programs coordinator, ensuring that the CEO, Board, and Director of Governance and Integration are well supported in their roles.  

    She brings with her over ten years of experience working in not for profit, providing support to executives, boards, and national associations.  She has deep family connections to health care and is incredibly passionate about the well-being and availability of care to those in Ontario.

    Prior to joining AFHTO, Taryn ran her own business, offering administrative support to businesses and associations. Welcome to the team!

     

    OurCare survey results are here

    OurCare survey results

    Overall, 77% of people in Canada age 18+ have a family doctor or nurse practitioner (NP) who they see regularly for care. That means:

    More than 6.5 million people in Canada don’t have a regular family doctor or NP – that’s more than 1 in 5 adults. Find out more at data.ourcare.ca. You can also read more about the survey results in a recent Healthy Debate article. 

    Fee code for Long COVID and more

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update multiple pages on our site with resources and news:

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    New quality standard – sickle cell disease

    Ontario Health has developed a new quality standard that outlines what high-quality care looks like for people with sickle cell disease. The standard can be used to help: 

    • Patients, families, and caregivers know what to ask for in their care  
    • Health care professionals know what care they should be offering  
    • Health care organizations improve the quality of care they provide

    To learn more about how you can use it to improve care for people with sickle cell disease, please register for a webinar on February 22, 12 – 1 p.m. ET. For more information, please contact QualityStandards@OntarioHealth.ca.

    Reports and relevant news – improving access in rural Canada and boosting balance

    Population Health: Governance (free course), starts Jan. 31, 2023
    Offered by Universiteit Leiden via Coursera, this course combines the Population Health perspective with theories of healthcare system governance. Find out more.

    COVID vaccinations and digital supports, Feb. 3, 2023
    56th in the series “Changing the way we work” by UofT and OCFP. Register here.

    Canadian Health and Well-Being In Developmental Disabilities, Feb. 8, 2023
    Digital conference hosted by Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Find out more here.

    Using Culturally Safe Practices to Build Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous Communities, Feb. 9, 2023
    Hosted by Indigenous Primary Health Care Council. Register here.

    New Horizons Speaker Series webinar, Feb.10, 2023
    What are the roles of virtual only clinics and technology-enabled care in the future of the health care system? How will these shape the future of primary care in Ontario? Join U of T Department of Family and Community Medicine faculty members for this discussion. Register here.

    Cybersecurity and Canadian Health Care: Where do vulnerabilities lie? Feb. 14, 2023
    Hosted by The Globe and Mail. Register here.

    OHT Engagement Learning Series – Session 3 of 7: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Feb. 21, 2023
    Hosted by Institute for Better Health and Trillium Health Partners. Register here.

  • The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19

    Research article published in BMC Primary Care 23, 294 (2022)

    The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19: A qualitative study of primary care practice leaders in Ontario, Canada

    Abstract

    Background

    The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rapid shift to virtual care in primary care practices around the globe. There has been little focus on the experiences of interprofessional teams through the lens of primary care practice leaders. The objective of this study was to examine the experience of primary care teams during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of primary care leadership.

    Methods

    Qualitative study using qualitative description methods. Executive Directors of interprofessional primary care teams belonging to the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) were invited to participate. Executive Directors were interviewed and the interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

    Results

    Seventy-one Executive Directors from across all regions of Ontario were interviewed for the study, representing 37% of the AFHTO member clinics. Four themes were identified in the data: i) Complexities of Virtual Care, ii) Continuation of In-person Care, iii) Supporting Patients at Risk, and iv) Stepping up and into New Roles.

    Conclusions

    Primary care teams rapidly mobilized to deliver the majority of their care virtually, while continuing to provide in-person and home care as required. Major challenges to virtual care included technological infrastructure and unfamiliarity with virtual platforms. Advantages to virtual care included convenience and time savings. Virtual care will likely continue to be an important mode of primary care delivery moving forward.

    Authors:

    • Dr. Catherine Donnelly, Queen’s University
    • Christine Mills, Queen’s University
    •  Sandeep Gill, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    • Kavita Mehta, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    •  Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft, University of Toronto
  • Bits & Pieces: market salary review underway and more

    Bits & Pieces: market salary review underway and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Market salary review underway
    • Reminder- Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8
    • Member stories
    • Supporting Caregivers webinar materials available
    • Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care materials available  
    • The latest on COVID, Influenza and Respiratory Viruses materials and more
    • New guidance for OHTs
    • Upcoming events including Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Data and Digital Initiative Webinar and more

     

    Market salary review underway

    The Community Health Compensation Working Group – representing ten provincial associations – has retained Eckler Ltd. consulting services to conduct a community health market salary review for Ontario. The review will include interprofessional primary care, community support services, community mental health, and long-term care.

    The final report will give us greater insight into wage disparities for 78 positions across primary and community care sectors. It is estimated that this work will be completed in spring 2023, and final recommendations will be presented to the government to support discussions on reasonable and fair compensation.

    For additional information, please visit AFHTO’s website. We will keep you updated as the work progresses.

    If you have questions, please reach out to Abisola at: abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    Reminder- Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8

    Metered dose inhalers produce significant carbon emissions. Ironically, these contribute to changes to the climate that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. Simple practice changes can help disrupt this cycle and lessen the health sector’s contributions to climate change. Register here.

    Member stories

    Belleville NPLC – Belleville NPLC provides care for unattached newborns
     
    Minto- Mapleton FHT – OPINION: nurse practitioners uniquely positioned to fill gaps in ailing health care system

    Screenshot of learning objectives

    Supporting Caregivers webinar materials available
    On Nov. 24 The Ontario Caregiver Organization and Primary Care Collaborative hosted a webinar ‘Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout’. This included insights from a caregiver with lived experience, as well as examples of primary care initiatives across Ontario that are connecting caregivers to support. Slides and video are now available.

     

    ON science table webinar title slide screenshot

    Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care materials available 
    On November 30 we held a webinar on the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table’s final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief shared some of the most significant findings and implications. Slides and video are now available.

     

    The latest on COVID, Influenza and Respiratory Viruses materials and more

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update multiple pages on our site with resources and news:

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    New guidance for OHTs

    Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Data and Digital Initiative Webinar, Dec. 12, 2022
    Part of a quarterly series designed to share regular updates and gather feedback on the initiative. Register here.

    IFIC Canada and Health System Performance Network Virtual Community, Dec. 20, 2022
    A key component of integration is the role of partnering with the volunteer sector to improve outcomes for our patients, caregivers, and our population. Take a deep dive to learn firsthand about the role of engaging the volunteer sector. Register here.

    ADVANCE Special Topics series – Balancing Task and Process in Leading Integrated Care Systems, Jan. 9, 2023

    Hosted by RISE. Professor Robin Miller, University of Birmingham in the UK, will discuss the promise and pitfalls of collaborative leadership within integrated care systems and how attending to process can support inter-sectoral teams to achieve the aim of collaborative governance. Register here.

    Healthcare Decision-Making in Ontario, Jan. 10-31, 2023
    Four-part webinar series hosted by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. Facilitated by Jane Meadus, the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE), you can join to learn what you need to know about consent, capacity and healthcare decision making in Ontario. Register here.

    Primary Care and COVID-19 Support CoP Monthly Call, Jan. to Jul. 2023
    The Community of Practice hosted by Ontario Health to support Primary Care and Covid-19, holds monthly calls, and the new registration link for the first 7 months in 2023 is available. Register here.

  • Belleville NPLC provides care for unattached newborns

    In a June article ‘QHC honours Belleville nurse practitioner-led clinic, Gateway centre’ we learned Belleville “has also received funding to provide follow up care to QHC newborns during their first two months of life,” Kearns continued. That program has yet to be established fully, but the clinic has so far accepted more than 100 “unattached” babies via QHC. Many of their relatives also have no primary-care provider and have received care through the clinic.

    Now  we have an update.

    Community Newborn program

    The Community Newborn program is a pilot program with staff who started at the end of September.

    The purpose of the Community Newborn program is to provide follow up care to newborns who have no primary care provider in the community. Infants are seen by the program staff within 72 hours of discharge from the hospital. 

    The Community Newborn Program consists of a Nurse Practitioner-Paediatrics, a Registered Nurse, and an Admin Support who each work 20 hours per week. The NP and RN provide routine follow up care and non-emergent assessments for the infants up until 6 months of age. They also provide routine vaccinations for siblings of their infant patients who also do not have a primary care provider.

     
    The benefits of this program include:   

    • Consistent and reliable access to care for infants with no PCP
    • Improve patient experience.
    • Decrease ED visits for non-emergency reasons ensuring the right care is provided at the right time in the right location.
    • Reduce the risks of injury in the infancy period by providing the recommended anticipatory guidance regarding infant safety, vaccine schedule and care more than once.
    • Increased opportunity to identify risks and connect families with appropriate community resources to optimize health outcomes in both the short and long term.

    Funding is secured until the end of March 2023. They hope to get funding to continue the program.

  • Update on the Ministry Request Memo – Respiratory Illness Season

    Dear Members,

    This fall, we have encountered an uptick in infections leading to hospital capacity becoming strained, especially at paediatric hospitals where cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have coincided with an increase in COVID transmission and an earlier-than-normal flu season. It is expected that these pressures will continue until mid-January. Additionally, pharmacies across Canada are dealing with a shortage of cough syrup and cold medicine, particularly medication for children. Health Canada expects a shipment of ibuprofen from the U.S. and acetaminophen from Australia to arrive imminently and will be available for distribution to pharmacies soon. Please click here for an update on the Children’s Cold and Flu Medications and Amoxicillin Shortage from the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health.

    Memo on an Important Ministry Request – Respiratory Illness Season

    Yesterday you would have received a memo from the Primary Health Care Branch at the Ministry of Health EN FR in response to the rising respiratory illness and system capacity constraints. We know many of you have a lot of questions on how to interpret the memo, especially the line:

    … I am writing to call on your support and requesting your organizations to offer clinical services 7 days a week, including evening availability, until further notice, to meet the needs of your patients. Please advise your patients of this availability so they may seek care in the appropriate place for their health concerns.

    In discussions with the Ministry, this memo was not intended to be directive nor prescriptive but was a request to communicate to your patients about how to access care, especially for sick children, with a focus on receiving care through their primary care teams first so that your patients do not seek care in the hospital if not needed.

    For many of you this likely does not change the expanded services you already provide; however, this is an opportunity to remind your patients of these services including virtual care supports, after-hours clinics and promotion of Health Connect Ontario (formerly THAS). And if you’re not open or accessible 7 days a week, please let your patients know where else they can seek care first before going to the hospital.  

    There are some great resources that you can also post on your website, send proactively to your patients, share via social media, and encourage your patients to use:

    IF you can deploy your FHT resources (e.g., NPs/RNs/PAs and front-line staff) to support additional after-hours care (this could be in person or could be virtually, whatever works best for your team), funding support for teams that anticipate extraordinary costs associated with the expansion of availability is available.

    If you have unspent funds in your budget, you can also reallocate funds to help support additional staff hours with the usual in-year reallocation approvals process. As well, pooling of resources among FHTs and other primary care teams is also an option and is highly encouraged, especially for weekend coverage.  Please speak to your Senior Program Consultant about options available to you.

    Note that overtime pay is at the discretion of the employer, however teams are required to follow the Employment Standards Act where the team is non-unionized. Where unionized, teams are required to comply with the Collective Agreement.

    We know you may have more questions about the memo and the ask to alleviate the pressures currently being faced in the health care system, especially in paediatric hospitals. We are in constant communication with the Ministry, the CMoH’s office and Ontario Health so please outreach and we’ll do our best to address your questions and concerns.

    Clinical Assessment Centres
    Another resource that can be promoted to patients are the Ontario Health Clinical Assessment Centres which will be expanding access and supporting primary care providers in diverting COVID, Flu and ILI assessments from the ED (ready for beginning of December). Ontario Health Regions and CACs have been encouraged to form partnerships with interprofessional primary care teams where feasible to enhance capacity and ensure broader access (i.e., evenings and weekends) to meet the increased needs of patients.

    There are currently 107 assessment centres across the province—some of you may already be affiliated with your local CAC, or you may receive partnership opportunities in the coming weeks to support this request. Revised Clinical Guidance for CACs will be released shortly, encompassing the broader scope of work required of CACs during this time. This guidance will be shared with all primary care providers and organizations to support collaborations with CACs in managing ILIs.

    Upcoming Changes to Process for Ordering Provincial PPE/Testing Supplies

    • Effective April 2023, Ontario Health will transfer the management of provincial PPE/ testing supplies stockpile to the Ontario Ministry of Health. As a result, the Ministry of Health is launching a platform that will enable providers to continue orders online. All primary care organizations/practices can register for a free account (1 per organization).  In the meantime, you can still access PPE through the provincial stockpile if you need it.
    • Members can expect a communique from Ontario Health with additional details (e.g., how to sign up for the new platform, Ministry contact information, etc.) closer to April 2023.

    Resources and Supports

    • Resources to support your patients (COVID-19 vaccines and Flu Vaccines):
      • Access the Ministry’s booster eligibility calculator here. This ensures your patients have a clear understanding of the COVID-19 booster dose recommendations and the importance of why and when they should receive a booster dose.
      • The OMA has developed Template letter: COVID-19 Fall booster doses for individuals aged 5+ that can be accessed. A reminder that the OMA has updated COVID resources that can be found behind their paywall here.
      • Access the COVID-19 Vaccines Information Sheet. This document reflects updates to high-risk groups and availability of the Pfizer bivalent vaccine EN FR
      • COVID-19, RSV and Flu Vaccine Posters (please continue to encourage COVID boosters and flu shots with every patient visit if possible):
        • Boost Your Protection Against COVID-19 poster EN FR
        • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) EN FR
        • Anyone can catch the flu. Protect yourself and others. EN FR
      • Flu shot social media graphics

    Updated COVID-19 Guidance:

    • As you may be aware, the Ontario Ministry of Health has updated its COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance (November 7, 2022 – English only) which reflects the following changes (remember to clear your cache to see the updated guidance):
      • Addition of NACI guidelines for monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech 6 months – 4 years.
      • Revision of high-risk populations.
      • Addition of out-of-Province vaccination chart.
      • Reference table for mRNA vaccines: caps and labels.

    We know how much teams have stepped up during these grueling almost three years of the pandemic without any additional supports or recognition and you are exhausted. We have expressed to the CMoH and others in the Ministry and Ontario Health that members are already working at capacity, dealing with vacancies and staff being off sick, working with partners in their OHTs, all while still facing greater and greater operating pressures and mounting wait lists on regular care, in addition to surge issues. We remain in continual awe when our teams respond to these calls to action as you continue to shine a light on how critical primary care is to the health care system – it is truly the foundation.  A sincere thank you for everything that you do for your patients and your communities.

    Yours in good health,

    The AFHTO Team