Tag: advocacy

  • Bits & Pieces: 2023 Ontario budget and more

    Bits & Pieces: 2023 Ontario budget and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates


    In This Issue  
    • Overview of the 2023 Ontario government budget
    • Farewell to Abisola Otepola
    • PCC submission re Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023
    • Reminder- CPS Full Access free trial ends April 1
    • Chronic noncancer pain management: Integration of a nurse-led program in primary care
    • Upcoming events including DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, and more

    Overview of the 2023 Ontario government budget

    Last Thursday the government released their 2023 Ontario Budget, Building a Strong Ontario. This budget was largely a reinforcement of “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care”. Introduced in February 2023, it focused on three pillars: The Right Care in the Right Place, Faster Access to Care, and Hiring More Health Care Workers.

    Most relevant, the provincial budget recommitted to connect Ontarians to additional primary care teams by investing $60 million over two years. We have confirmed this is the same $30 million that was announced in February, carried over 2 years resulting in a total investment of $60 million dollars. While this is a step in the right direction, we are disappointed there was not more of a commitment over the longer term.

    The health human resources crisis that currently exists was acknowledged through additional investments in nursing, medical school education and home care, but none were made for primary care nor any mention of dropping the appeal to retain Bill 124. However, much needed support in mental health and addictions was welcomed. Read full details on our site.


    Abisola Otepola

    Farewell to Abisola Otepola

    It is with genuinely mixed feelings we announce that Abisola Otepola will be leaving AFHTO for new opportunities.

    Abisola has been with AFHTO since last May as Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations. Many have you had the pleasure of working with her as she has led our efforts on the compensation review and IHP guidance document, details of which are to be released soon.

    We’re going to miss Abisola but know she will bring so much to her future endeavours. Please join us in giving her our sincerest best wishes. Her last day with AFHTO will be April 14 – any questions related to her work can be directed to info@afhto.ca.


    PCC submission re Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023

    On Mar. 27, members of the PCC including AFHTO presented our submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy on Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023. “We are committed to working with the government on health policy that will uphold the principles necessary to provide Ontarians with the care they need. This submission highlights further clarification and recommendations regarding Bill 60 to ensure an equitable and sustainable approach to the delivery of care provided under this act.” Read the submission here.


    Reminder- CPS Full Access free trial ends April 1

    On Feb. 23, we sent an email, “Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access”, to all member EDs and Admin Leads. If you spend time clarifying prescriptions, use CPS Full Access, a Canadian-developed platform that features up-to-date Canadian information such as:

    • Current drug shortages.
    • Health Canada–approved product names, indications, dosing and patient information.
    • Warnings, recalls and safety alerts.
    • Evidence-based therapeutic content and algorithms.
    • Drug tables with price ranges.  

    This is a reminder that the free trial expires April 1. After that, members can get a 40% discount. Login information for the trial is available on our site at the triad level only (i.e., accessible just to EDs/Admin Leads, lead clinicians and board members). This benefit is being offered on a trial basis for a year, at which time we will assess participation rates. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@afhto.ca.


    Chronic noncancer pain management: Integration of a nurse-led program in primary care

    Problem addressed Chronic noncancer pain is often excessively managed with medications (most notably opioids) instead of nonpharmacologic options or multidisciplinary care—the gold standards.

    Objective of program To offer an effective alternative to pharmacologic management of chronic noncancer pain in primary care.

    Learn more about the successful integration of this nurse-led program at Bruyère Academic FHT.


    DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, Mar. 31, 2023
    Join a conversation with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, CEO of Wellesley Institute and Professor of Psychiatry at U of T, on how family doctors and primary care providers can better link their work in education, research, and quality improvement to the social determinants of health, and how to partner with organizations that serve communities to be more socially accountable in their work. Learn more here.


    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.

  • Overview of the 2023 Ontario Government Budget

    2023 Ontario Budget – Building a Strong Ontario
    An overview of the Ontario government’s budget

    March 24, 2023

    Overview
    Yesterday the government released their 2023 Ontario Budget, Building a Strong Ontario. This budget focuses on five pillars:

    1. Building Ontario’s Economy for Today and Tomorrow
    2. Building Highways, Transit and Infrastructure Projects
    3. Working for Workers
    4. Keeping Your Costs Down
    5. Better Services for You

    “With the budget’s significant focus on ways to combat the affordability crisis and tumultuous economic times, the government has made a strategic decision in this budget to shift the public dialogue from health care to those files.”- Enterprise Canada’s Health Care Analysis

    This budget was largely a reinforcement of “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care”. Introduced in February 2023, it focused on three pillars: The Right Care in the Right Place, Faster Access to Care, and Hiring More Health Care Workers.

    Most relevant, the provincial budget recommitted to connect Ontarians to additional primary care teams by investing $60 million over two years. We have confirmed this is the same $30 million that was announced in February, carried over 2 years resulting in a total investment of $60 million dollars. While this is a step in the right direction, we are disappointed there was not more of a commitment over the longer term.

    The health human resources crisis that currently exists was acknowledged through additional investments in nursing, medical school education and home care, but none were made for primary care nor any mention of dropping the appeal to retain Bill 124. However, much needed support in mental health and addictions was welcomed.

    For additional information, please read:

    Summary of Health Care Investments:

    Team-Based Care:

    • $60 million over two years to expand existing teams and create up to 18 primary care teams in communities with the greatest need ($30 million was previously announced for 2022-2023 and this commits this funding into 2023-2024).

    HHR Recruitment and Education:

    • The government is providing an additional $3.3 million over the next three years, beginning in 2023–24, to expand access to dual credit opportunities in health care‐related courses for an additional 1,400 secondary students.
    • The province is expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant to add more health care professionals in underserved and growing communities. Applications will open this spring for the 2023–24 academic year, targeting up to 2,500 postsecondary students who enrol in – nursing programs in Northern, Eastern and Southwestern Ontario; medical laboratory technologist/medical laboratory sciences programs in Northern and Southwestern Ontario; and paramedic programs in Northern Ontario.
    • $200 million in 2023-2024 to extend supports to address immediate health care staffing shortages, as well as to grow the workforce, including investments in the Enhanced Extern Program and the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program
    • $100.8 million over the next three years to expand and accelerate the rollout of undergraduate and postgraduate seats.
    • $33 million over three years to add 100 undergraduate seats beginning in 2023, as well as 154 postgraduate medical training seats to prioritize Ontario residents trained at home and abroad beginning in 2024
    • $51 million over three years to support the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program to support timely 911 responses by hiring health care workers focused exclusively on transferring ambulance patients to hospital care, allowing paramedics to respond to more calls.

    Home Care and Seniors Supports

    • $569 million in 2023-2024, including nearly $300 million to support contract rate increases to stabilize the workforce. (part of the government’s previous commitment to invest up to $1 billion over three years for home care.)
    • $174 million over two years, starting in 2024-2025, to continue the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Program to serve all eligible seniors across Ontario.  
    • The government is investing an additional $5 million annually for three years starting in 2022–23 to support 6,500 people with dementia to live independently in their homes and to be engaged in their community. (Previously announced in 2022 budget)

    Hospital and Long-Term Care Capital Investments

    • The government is making a multibillion-dollar investment in hospital infrastructure. This is included in a 10-year plan to invest more than $48 billion in hospital infrastructure, including over $32 billion for more than 50 hospital projects that would add 3,000 new beds. (Previously announced in 2022 budget)
    • A four per cent increase in base operating funding for hospitals.
    • $72 million in 2023-2024 to increase surgeries at community surgical and diagnostic centres. (This builds on $300 million as part of the surgical recovery strategy and $18 million for diagnostics and surgeries in existing facilities.)
    • $5.5 million in 2023-2024 to build new Behavioural Specialized Units in long-term care homes, including approximately 70 new specialized beds, to expand care for individuals with complex needs.
    • $1.2 million to the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association to promote the PSW profession in the long-term care sector to help with recruitment.

    Access to MHA

    • $425 million over three years, including a five per cent increase in the base funding of community-based mental health and addictions service providers. (Builds on an investment of $3.8 billion over 10 years included in the Roadmap to Wellness.)
    • $202 million each year in the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, struggling with mental health and substance use, those escaping intimate partner violence, community organizations that deliver housing services.

    Other Health Care

    • The government commits to expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists to cover additional minor ailments including mild to moderate acne, canker sores, diaper dermatitis, yeast infections, pinworms and threadworms, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
    • The government is investing $3.1 million in 2023–24 for an expansion of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Ottawa House.
    • To support children and youth with complex special needs, the government is investing $12 million over three years to fund 14 additional beds at Safehaven, a not‐for‐profit organization providing residential and respite care at community sites in the Greater Toronto Area.

    This budget only goes a little further for primary care teams. Most critical will be our support to government as they roll out the investment in primary care to focus on those communities with higher rates of patients not attached to teams and/or those that have historically faced greater barriers to funding to meet population health needs.

    We will be in close communication with Ministry officials, especially considering the context of the recent federal-provincial agreements and their implications for primary care. We will keep members apprised of ongoing developments and urge each of you to stay in touch with your local MPPs as local advocacy could be a game changer in influencing the development of this expansion. #ItTakesATeam

  • Bits & Pieces: inclusive community grants and more

    Bits & Pieces: inclusive community grants and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates


    In This Issue  
    • Applications open for 2023-24 Inclusive Community Grants
    • Member stories
    • Infant Moderna shelf-life extension, Canada investing in Long COVID research and more
    • Join the Ontario First Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force- deadline Mar. 15
    • Call for expression of interest: Ontario MHA Oversight Table
    • It’s never too early to begin preparing for National Advance Care Planning Day
    • Community Legal Education Ontario wants to understand your legal needs
    • Upcoming events including Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope – and What it Means for Appropriate Prescribing, and more

     

    Applications open for 2023-24 Inclusive Community Grants
    Members and/or partners may be eligible for Inclusive Community Grants. The grants provide municipalities, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities with up to $60,000 for local projects that will help older residents and people with disabilities participate in community life. Deadline April 20, 2023. Find out more here.


    MPP Robin Martin stands with MD, social worker and pharmacist and leadership team at North York FHT and their Board Chair in front of windows in a room. All are masked.

     

    Member stories

    North York FHT – MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Robin Martin visited North York FHT last week.

    Picture left: MPP Robin Martin with physician, social worker, pharmacist, leadership team and Board Chair at North York FHT.

     

     


    Infant Moderna shelf-life extension, Canada investing in Long COVID research 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.


    Join the Ontario First Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force- deadline Mar. 15

    Prenatal Screening Ontario (PSO) is seeking experts to join the First-Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force to advise on implementation considerations for first-trimester preeclampsia screening, should it be made available in Ontario. This is a short-term task force (find terms of reference here). To apply, fill out this survey and forward your CV to PSO@bornontario.ca  by Mar. 15, 2023.


    Call for expression of interest: Ontario MHA Oversight Table

    Ontario Health has sent out a Call for Expression of Interest for members of the Mental Health and Addictions Oversight Table. The table will define, guide, monitor and lead the development and delivery of standardized, high quality mental health and addictions services to address the needs of Ontarians per the mandate of the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence.

    The table will have input from the Clinical Council, the Planning and Performance Council and other, more focused, Centre of Excellence advisory tables, and the broader mental health and addictions stakeholders across Ontario. Senior clinical and administrative system leaders are invited to submit an expression of interest as a member of the Oversight Table. Please see the Call for Expression of Interest and terms of reference for more information. Submissions should be sent by Friday, March 24, 2023 to mhacoe@ontariohealth.ca.


    It’s never too early to begin preparing for National Advance Care Planning Day

    Content provided by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

    National Advance Care Planning Day is on April 16, 2023, and Hospice Palliative Care Ontario has tools and resources to help you prepare.

    The Person-Centred Decision-Making Online Learning Portal was developed to assist you with having Advance Care Planning conversations and Goals of Care discussions with your patients. This program is intended to increase awareness and knowledge as well as build capacity across Ontario’s health care system. If you are a health professional or administrator and are interested in learning about Advance Care Planning, Health Care Consent, and Goals of Care, you can access the course here.

    We also have resources to support you whether you plan on providing an educational event within your organization or community, or plan on having a conversation with your patients. The guides, posters, postcards, wallet cards, and bookmarks are great resources to incorporate into your Advance Care Planning Day initiatives or ongoing conversations.

    To encourage these important conversations, all orders placed on materials until March 31 at 4:00 P.M. will be provided with a discount of 20% off. Visit our website to order materials.


    Community Legal Education Ontario wants to understand your legal needs

    Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) is launching a survey to get a picture of the legal needs of nonprofits relating to governance, employment law, and privacy/record keeping. By participating, you will be helping to inform CLEO about the legal supports your organization needs. The survey has 15 questions and should take about 15 minutes. Please take a moment to complete the survey. To learn more about the Nonprofit Law Ontario project, visit nonprofitlaw.cleo.on.ca.


    Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope – and What it Means for Appropriate Prescribing, Mar. 22, 2023

    In several provinces, the scope of pharmacist prescribing has expanded, enabling them to assess and prescribe treatments for common syndromes. With other provinces and territories expected to adopt similar approaches, how do we support pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals in promoting resource stewardship and appropriate prescribing practices? Hosted by Choose Wisely Toronto. Find out more here.


    Journey with depression: Experiences accessing treatment and services, Mar. 23, 2023
    Virtual town hall hosted by ODPRN Citizens’ Panel with Dr. Noah Ivers. Find out more here.


    Together We Care 2023, Mar. 27- 29, 2023
    Together We Care is the largest and most comprehensive learning and networking experience for professionals in long-term care and retirement living. Find out more here.


    Engaging primary care – from the inside out, Mar. 24, 2023
    Part of the OHT Impact Fellows- Knowledge Translation Lunch and Learn Series. Register here.


    DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, Mar. 31, 2023
    Join a conversation with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, CEO of Wellesley Institute and Professor of Psychiatry at U of T, on how family doctors and primary care providers can better link their work in education, research, and quality improvement to the social determinants of health, and how to partner with organizations that serve communities to be more socially accountable in their work. Learn more here.


    Primary care data reports for OHTs, Mar. 29, 2023

    Hosted by INSPIRE-PHC. Primary Care Data Reports for all OHTs are available here. Join here.

  • 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 FHTDr. Allan Grill on how primary care is dealing with demand

    St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHTDr. 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.

  • Primary Care Leaders Urge Canada’s Premiers and Federal Government to Strike a Deal That Focuses on Expanding Team-Based Primary Care Including Access to a Primary Care Provider

    Primary Care Leaders Urge Canada’s Premiers and Federal Government to Strike a Deal That Focuses on Expanding Team-Based Primary Care Including Access to a Primary Care Provider

    TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2023 /CNW/ – The Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) is encouraging Premiers across the country, and the federal government, to strike a new Canada Health Transfer agreement that will focus on expanding team-based care and ensure that every Canadian has access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner within an interprofessional team.

    At this critical time, political leaders across the country can make a real impact on Canada’s ongoing healthcare crisis. Research shows that high-performing healthcare systems are based on a strong foundation of comprehensive primary care. But millions of Canadians from coast to coast, including the Indigenous peoples and communities of Canada, are currently unable to access the care they deserve.

    That is why the Premiers and Federal Government need to ensure that team-based models of care are at the centre of a renewed Canada Health Transfer Agreement. Doing so will ensure that we are building a cost-effective healthcare system where people can access better, more integrated, more accessible and continuous care.

    In team-based models of care, patients can access primary care from a family physician or nurse practitioner, but the benefit to the patient and the system comes from the larger team, which also includes interprofessional healthcare providers, including nurses, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists and many others. These healthcare providers work as a team to meet patients’ health and social needs, including their mental health needs.

    A special focus should be placed on Canada’s Indigenous communities, many of which do not have access to Indigenous Primary Health Care. Access to culturally appropriate and safe care is critical to ensure that Indigenous Peoples and communities are supported and able to thrive.

    With primary care at the foundation, the Primary Care Collaborative’s 2023 Ontario Budget submission lays out what is needed to help build a healthcare system where people can access better care. With increased funding from the Canada Health Transfer Agreement, we are recommending that the Ontario government: 

    • Makes team-based primary care available to more Ontarians through an investment of an additional $75 million per year for 10 years;
    • Addresses the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table; and
    • Invests in primary care for Indigenous Peoples.

    About the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC):
    We are a coalition of primary care organizations collectively representing 14,000 family doctors, 1,000+ primary care nurse practitioners, 286 primary care teams, 28 Indigenous primary care teams, including northern, rural, and remote teams. This alliance of comprehensive primary care organizations joined together for a common purpose to build on the collaborative work during the COVID-19 pandemic as we move towards recovery in a time of health system transformation. The PCC provides a collective and cohesive voice with the purpose of advancing equitable person-centred primary care in Ontario and is focused on influencing policy by creating a unified voice towards resolving barriers or challenges that prevent comprehensive primary care from being the foundation of the health system. Learn more about the PCC here.

    Click here for the full article

    SOURCE Primary Care Collaborative

    For further information: Kavita Mehta, Chief Executive Officer, kavita.mehta@afhto.ca

    French Translation below


    Les responsables des soins primaires exhortent les premiers ministres des provinces et des territoires et le gouvernement fédéral à conclure une entente portant sur l’expansion des soins primaires dispensés en équipe, y compris l’accès à un fournisseur de soins primaires   

    TORONTO, 6 février 2023 /CNW/ – Le Groupe collaboratif de soins primaires (Primary Care Collaborative – PCC) invite les premiers ministres des provinces et des territoires et le gouvernement fédéral à conclure une nouvelle entente de Transfert canadien en matière de santé portant sur l’expansion des soins dispensés en équipe afin que chaque Canadienne et Canadien ait accès à un médecin, une infirmière praticienne ou un infirmier praticien au sein d’une équipe interprofessionnelle. 
    En cette période critique, les dirigeants politiques canadiens peuvent avoir une incidence réelle sur la crise des soins de santé qui perdure au pays. Les études montrent que les systèmes de soins de santé très performants sont fondés sur des soins de santé primaires complets. Cependant, des millions de Canadiennes et Canadiens d’un bout à l’autre du pays, y compris les peuples et les communautés autochtones, sont incapables d’avoir accès aux soins auxquels ils ont droit.
    C’est pourquoi les premiers ministres des provinces et des territoires et le gouvernement fédéral doivent s’assurer que les modèles de soins dispensés en équipe sont au cœur d’une nouvelle entente de Transfert canadien en matière de santé. Ainsi, il sera possible d’établir un système de soins de santé ayant un bon rapport coût-efficacité au sein duquel les personnes peuvent recevoir des soins continus meilleurs, plus intégrés et plus accessibles.   
    Dans les modèles de soins dispensés en équipe, les patients peuvent recevoir des soins primaires d’un médecin de famille, d’une infirmière praticienne ou d’un infirmier praticien; cependant, les avantages pour le patient et le système proviennent de l’équipe élargie, qui comprend des fournisseurs de soins de santé interprofessionnels, notamment du personnel infirmier, des travailleurs sociaux, des diététistes et des pharmaciens. Ces fournisseurs de soins de santé travaillent en équipe pour satisfaire aux besoins des patients en matière de soins de santé et de services sociaux, y compris leurs besoins en matière de santé mentale. 
    Une attention particulière devrait être accordée aux communautés autochtones du Canada, dont plusieurs n’ont pas accès à des soins de santé primaires à l’intention des Autochtones. L’accès à des soins respectueux des valeurs culturelles est essentiel afin d’aider les peuples et les communautés autochtones et de leur permettre de s’épanouir.  
    Reposant sur les soins primaires, le mémoire du Groupe collaboratif de soins primaires pour le budget de l’Ontario de 2023 précise ce qui est nécessaire pour créer un système de soins de santé au sein duquel les personnes ont accès à de meilleurs soins. Grâce au financement accru provenant de l’entente de Transfert canadien en matière de santé, nous recommandons au gouvernement de l’Ontario les mesures suivantes :  
    •    Améliorer l’accès aux soins de santé primaires dispensés en équipe pour les Ontariennes et Ontariens grâce à un investissement additionnel de 75 millions $ par année pendant 10 ans; 
    •    S’attaquer à la crise des ressources humaines du secteur de la santé quant aux soins primaires par la création d’une table sur les ressources humaines en santé à ce sujet;  
    •    Investir dans les soins primaires pour les peuples autochtones. 
    À propos du Groupe collaboratif de soins primaires :
    Nous sommes une coalition d’organisations offrant des soins de santé primaires, qui ensemble, représentent 14 000 médecins de famille, plus de 1 000 infirmières praticiennes/infirmiers praticiens, 286 équipes prodiguant des soins primaires, 28 équipes de soins de santé primaires autochtones, y compris des équipes en milieu nordique, rural et éloigné. Cette alliance d’organisations offrant des soins de santé primaires complets s’est formée dans le but commun de tirer parti du travail collaboratif accompli au cours de la pandémie de la COVID-19 alors que nous nous dirigeons vers le rétablissement en période de transformation du système de santé. Le Groupe collaboratif de soins primaires forme une voix commune et cohérente ayant pour but d’améliorer les soins de santé primaires équitables axés sur la personne en Ontario, et il tente d’influencer les politiques en faisant front commun afin d’éliminer les obstacles et les difficultés qui empêchent les soins de santé primaires d’être le fondement du système de santé. Pour en lire davantage sur le Groupe collaboratif de soins primaires, cliquez ici.
    SOURCE : Groupe collaboratif de soins primaires
     
    Pour de plus amples renseignements : Kavita Mehta, directrice générale, kavita.mehta@afhto.ca

  • AFHTO’s 2023 Pre-Budget Submission

    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.
    With primary care at the foundation, our submission lays out what is needed to help build a province where people can access better care, more integrated care, and more accessible and continuous care.

    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. 

    Every Ontarian deserves access to comprehensive and equitable care where and when they need it. It’s time for Ontario to commit to ensuring access to a comprehensive interprofessional primary care team for every person who needs it. This would be achievable with a commitment to invest $75 million per year for the next 10 years in team-based care.

    2. Address the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table

    In addition, we need to attract healthcare providers to care for our aging and increasingly complex patients. The retention and attraction of healthcare workers in primary care is a challenge we cannot face alone. We are proposing to create a primary care HHR table for future HHR and capacity planning that includes all PCC partners, the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health.

    3. Provide mental health and addictions services and home and community care in coordination with primary care. 

    We need a health system that is truly integrated. Care coordination and system navigation is a key function of primary care and should be foundational in realizing the vision of OHTs. To be most effective, critical mental health and addictions and home and community care supports must be embedded in primary care—the most effective setting to facilitate seamless transitions in care and offer patients a single point of contact in their health care journey.

    4. Provide resources to support the implementation of primary care networks (PCNs) and recognize PCNs as the organizing model for primary care. 

    PCNs will enable horizontal integration, enhancing the capacity of primary care physicians and nurse practitioners to support each other and their patients while facilitating local care planning with their respective OHTs. PCNs will benefit all primary care physicians and nurse practitioners practising under all funding models by streamlining supports and available resources.

    Our 2023 Pre-Budget submission can be read here.

    The PCC Pre-Budget submission can be read here.

  • Request to Participate in the 2023 Compensation Market Salary Review – Heads Up

    Dear Executive Directors and Admin Leads,

    As you may be aware, in 2022, multiple associations/organizations came together as the Community Compensation Working Group to jointly support a market survey to get a better idea of the wage disparity and compensation challenges. To ensure a successful market study with a substantive sample, we require your collaboration and participation to complete the survey that will accompany this review.

    Why it matters:
    This survey is particularly important considering the impacts of the pandemic on healthcare as well as human resources practices within organizations, and legislated compensation restraints that have impacted many organizations in Ontario. We know that recruitment and retention, as well as salary disparity, is one of the biggest challenges in primary care and getting data on what the levels currently are and what they should be is critical in supporting our HHR advocacy asks to government.

    Who and what will be covered:
    The Community Compensation Working Group includes over 1,200 unique organizations including: 302 primary care organizations comprised of Community Health Centres, Family Health Teams, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, Indigenous Primary Health Care Organizations; 225 home and community care organizations, 90 publicly funded child and youth mental health agencies, 175 community mental health and addiction organizations, 30 local CMHA branches, 221 long-term care homes, 91 housing members and 95 community service agencies. Invitations are being sent to members served by these associations/organizations as well as several other organizations – Ontario and nationally.

    We have partnered with Eckler Ltd. to conduct this survey. They will provide independent evidence-based approaches to reviewing the compensation and provide insights. Eckler Ltd. will receive the surveys collected by AFHTO and others, streamline information (ensuring maintaining confidentiality and privacy for each individual organization), and provide aggregated information in reports. All survey participants will receive a summary report which we hope will assist you in compensation planning.

    The survey is focused on collecting basic salary and information for a series of benchmark positions with a few other general HR practice questions for review and consideration.

    We know you likely receive a number of requests for survey participation and are facing significant resource constraints; however, we hope our request will support any pre-planning as we prepare for a survey launch in February.

    Timing and contact
    Surveys are targeted to be launched in February 2023. You will receive the survey from AFHTO. If you have questions about this market study please feel free to contact, Abisola Otepola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca or our Eckler contact, Deirdre Chong Smith at 647-293-0183 or dchongsmith@eckler.ca.

    If you know you would like to participate or have a designated employee that will provide the information, please let us know who to issue the survey to by emailing Abisola Otepola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.  

    Thank you for considering this request. This important work will provide us with the data we need to ensure we have equity among all health care providers in the health care system, no matter what sector they work in.

    Yours in Good Health,

    Your AFHTO Team

  • Bits & Pieces: perks to get you through winter and more

    Bits & Pieces: perks to get you through winter and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates


    In This Issue  
    • Perkopolis winter discounts
    • Reminder- is there a doctor on board? #AFHTO2023 help needed
    • ICYMI- mental health and addiction funding letters
    • Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact- deadline Feb. 17
    • Association between virtual primary care and ED use and more
    • Workplace mental health training for health care settings
    • Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey
    • Upcoming events including Collaborative Governance: Towards the Next Level of Integrated Care and more

     

    Text at the top- Get a head start on your March break travel plans. Below, CityPass, Vegas foodie tour and Great Wolf Lodge

     

    Perkopolis winter discounts

    AFHTO members are eligible to sign up for free access to over 5000 perks through Perkopolis, including discounts on winter activities, travel, products, and wellness.

    EDs, if your team doesn’t have access yet, please email info@afhto.ca.

     

     


    Reminder- is there a doctor on board? #AFHTO2023 help needed
    AFHTO offers Mainpro+ accreditation for our annual conference for physicians. To ensure we maintain the standards required, we invite a member physician to take part in ONE meeting in February to provide feedback and input on the themes and format for our 2023 event. We’ll provide the appropriate materials beforehand and will be available to answer any questions you might have. Please email paula.myers@afhto.ca ASAP if you’re interested. Deadline Jan. 25.


    ICYMI- mental health and addiction funding letters

    On Jan. 18 we sent an email titled ‘Regarding mental health and addiction funding letters’ to EDs and Admin leads. This can now be found here at the triad level. If you have any questions, please contact Abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.


    Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact- deadline Feb. 17
    You can shape the public discussion about health. The University of Toronto has a journalism fellowship designed with family physicians in mind and you can attend from anywhere. Learn more / apply / join an open house here. The next open house is Jan. 26 and they’re accepting applications until Feb. 17.


    Association between virtual primary care and ED use 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.


    Workplace mental health training for health care settings

    The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario has launched Your Health Space. This free workplace mental health program provides the training, resources, and tools needed to support health care organizations in addressing the burnout and moral distress affecting their teams.

    Your Health Space offers self-directed modules and live workshops, the latter of which can be tailored to each organization’s unique needs. This programming is delivered through three distinct spaces designed to address the needs of 1) Leaders, 2) Health Care Workers, and 3) Support Staff working within an organization. A fourth space for Connection, invites all staff members across an entire organization to participate in training together. Your Health Space’s team of trainers are based across Ontario and are available to facilitate workshops virtually or in person.

    If you are interested in bringing this free training program to your workplace, please visit: https://yourhealthspace.ca/programs/ or contact yourhealthspace@ontario.cmha.ca.


    Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey

    Ontario Health is conducting an evaluation of the ‘Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care’ developed in collaboration with an Expert Panel. You’re invited to complete this survey to capture your awareness of, access to and adoption of the Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care.   

    You may access the survey here.  

    The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain anonymous. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Mimosa Zhao by email at zhao@theevidencenetwork.com.


    Collaborative Governance: Towards the Next Level of Integrated Care, Jan. 24, 2023
    Hosted by HSPN and IFIC Canada. Register here.


    OCFP 2023 Family Medicine Summit, Jan. 27-28, 2023
    Features two livestream days on Jan 27 & 28, plus additional pre-recorded sessions. Find out more here.


    ECHO Ontario Conference 2023, Jan. 27, 2023
    Virtual event, titled Integrated Health Systems and the ECHO Model: Lessons Learned in Ontario. Register here.


    Early Psychosis Intervention Quarterly Webinar, Feb. 9, 2023
    Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence’s first quarterly webinar on the development of a provincial Early Psychosis Intervention Program. Register here.


    Patient Safety Learning Community of Practice, Feb. 7, 2023
    Learn more about the patient safety narrative question for the 2023/24 QIP submission. Register here.

  • 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.

  • 2023 Compensation Market Refresh – Review Underway

    2023 Compensation Market Refresh – Review Underway

    Image

    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 click here. We will keep you updated as the work progresses.

    If you have questions, please reach out to info@afhto.ca