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Tag: advocacy

  • A Joint Open Letter on Pandemic Pay

    May 25, 2020

    Premier Doug Ford
    Queen’s Park
    Toronto, ON
    M7A 1A1

    OPEN LETTER

    Dear Premier Ford,

    As a broad group of healthcare stakeholders whose members employ tens of thousands of front line workers in the fight against COVID 19, we write to you today to seek immediate clarity on the implementation details and timing of the release of pandemic pay to support frontline workers employed by organizations funded by the Ministry of Health and the LHINs.

    On April 25th, we each applauded the Government of Ontario’s announcement that frontline workers would be recognized with temporary pandemic pay for the current challenges they face keeping Ontarians healthy, safe and informed during the pandemic.  

    A month later, it is still not clear whether the efforts of all of our healthcare workers will be recognized or if pandemic pay is restricted to a subset of employees. Also, funding has yet to flow to the front line and in fact for those front-line workers whose organizations are funded by the Ministry of Health and/or LHINs have yet to receive clarity on whether or not they will be considered front line workers eligible for pandemic pay.  This is contributing to extreme morale issues at the front line at a time when staff need to be supported most.  It is also creating unnecessary conflict for employers who are left trying to explain to their employees why they cannot provide neither clarity nor the pay itself.

    Together, we are urging the Provincial Government to immediately communicate the implementation details, including confirmation that the funding is for all workers on the frontline, and release funding so that frontline workers can start to see the benefit now while the economy is opening up and they are still hard at work to contain the pandemic.

    Additionally, to recognize the critical services provided and the team effort required in fighting COVID-19, we continue to urge that pandemic pay be applied to all non-management front line providers, including regulated frontline staff.

    Every day, it becomes increasingly difficult to see this great initiative, that has such great promise for health care worker recognition, be undermined by delay.

    We thank you for your attentiveness to our request and look forward to your reply.

    Yours truly,

    (Original Signed By)

    Justin J. Bates, CEO, Ontario Pharmacists Association
    Anthony Dale, CEO, Ontario Hospital Association
    Lisa Levin, CEO, AdvantAge Ontario
    Kavita Mehta, CEO, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    Kimberly Moran, CEO, Children’s Mental Health Ontario
    Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
    Deborah Simon, CEO, Ontario Community Support Association
    Adrienne Spafford, CEO, Addictions and Mental Health Ontario
    Adrianna Tetley, CEO, Alliance for Healthier Communities
    Alisha Tharani, Executive Director, Mental Health Partners
    Samantha Yau, President, Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists Ontario Branch

    Cc:
    Hon. Peter Bethlanfalvy, President of the Treasury Board
    Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
    James Wallace, Chief of Staff to the Premier
    Mark Lawson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier
    Karl Baldauf, Chief of Staff to the President of the Treasury Board
    Leif Malling, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

    See the pdf version here.

  • Bits & Pieces: partnership to improve access to psychological services for the front line & more

    Bits & Pieces: partnership to improve access to psychological services for the front line & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Partnership to improve access to psychological services for front line workers
    • Letter from AFHTO’s President
    • Pandemic Pay
    • Update to critical supplies & equipment survey portal- training sessions
    • Mental Health Week
    • Updated screening and testing guidance and more
    • Infection prevention and control CoP in Ontario Central West Region
    • Ontario Community Support Association meals/essentials delivery
    • Seeking participants to examine practice patterns during COVID-19
    • Financial management webinar series
    • Upcoming events regarding Advance Care Planning and more

    Partnership to improve access to psychological services for front line workers

    AFHTO, OCFP, NPAO, and the Ontario Psychological Association partner to improve access to psychological services for front line workers- We would like to announce two pathways of care for mental health services from a Psychologist through the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA).

    One stream is for your patients who are experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression related to the COVID 19 pandemic. The OPA has set up a network of psychologists who can provide no-cost short term mental health support for COVID related mental health issues.

    The second stream provides access to mental health support to you as primary care providers. As professionals providing front line care, we recognize the stresses to which you are exposed. Find out more regarding these two opportunities for mental health support (please do not forward this letter).

    Letter from AFHTO’s President

    On Friday we emailed a letter from AFHTO’s President and Chair Dr. Tom Richard:

    “As we approach a new month contending with this pandemic, I thought it would be a good time to touch base.

    The continued disruptions, frustrations and adjustments of how we provide our services has been a tremendous source of anxiety to ourselves, our families and those we look after.

    Yet, despite all this, primary care continues to step up and ensure our patients get the care they need.” Read the full letter here.

    Pandemic Pay

    The Ministry is working on its policy and implementation related to the release of pandemic pay and who is eligible. As we wait for further details, we will be working with our primary care partners to reinforce the important role primary care providers play in the COVID response and continue to advocate on behalf of team-based primary care. More details will be made available as information starts to roll out.

    And as a reminder, if you’re an interprofessional health provider at a FHT, A team of researchers wants to learn more about your experience as a provider during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 350 IHPs have filled it out to date and the deadline is this Thursday, May 7. Find out more here.

    Update to critical supplies & equipment survey portal- training sessions

    On Friday, the Ministry announced the health sector PPE survey would transition to an enhanced submission portal as of yesterday, May 4. To support the transition, they are hosting several webinars as well as providing respondents with detailed support material that they can access and reference as they input their inventory data. Training sessions include:

    Psychological First Aid for Frontline Health Care Providers: A Quick Guide to Wellness

     

    Mental Health Week

    It’s Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is social connection. You can get their toolkit here and find relevant articles here. They may help you help your community not just get loud, but #GetReal.

    On a related note, there is a free resource, the Psychological First Aid for Frontline Health Care Providers: A Quick Guide to Wellness, a workbook recommended by the Ontario Psychological Association.

     

     

    Updated screening and testing guidance and more

    On May 2, the government released updates to

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

    We’ll update these on a regular basis as we receive relevant resources, while trying to reduce duplication with other sources. We will continue to update the news page daily.

    Infection prevention and control CoP in Ontario Central West Region

    Public Health Ontario would like to invite Primary Care workers responsible for Infection Prevention and Control in the Ontario Central West Region (those located within Halton, Hamilton, WDG, WW, Brant, Niagara, and HN public health units) to their virtual Community of Practice meeting on May 14, 2020 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

    The meeting will focus on the latest COVID-19 updates and provide an opportunity for primary care colleagues to discuss their questions. If you are interested in attending, please email ipaccentralwest@oahpp.ca.

    Access information:
    1. Please dial in to the teleconference at 1-866-261-6767 and enter code: 4889444#
    2. Join the webinar and enter your full name

    Ontario Community Support Association meals/essentials delivery

    Ontario Community Support Association has established a link on their website to connect individuals/community providers to meals services/essentials delivery.

    In this portal, you can search Meals providers or Essential Service providers by searching based on address. If service providers exist in the area, a referral can be made directly through the portal to the provider. If nothing can be found there, a link will pop up asking to “Sign Me Up” to receive a phone call from a Canadian Red Cross (CRC) Coordinator to make connection to services.

    Seeking participants to examine practice patterns during COVID-19

    Two primary care researchers, Rachelle Ashcroft, and Catherine Donnelly are submitting a CIHR Rapid COVID-19 response grant to examine practice patterns of interprofessional primary care teams during COVID-19. The grant is due Monday May 11. If your team would be interested in participating in the study please contact Catherine by email Catherine.donnelly@queensu.ca for further study details. 

    Financial management webinar series

    The Ontario Nonprofit Network has launched a free four-part financial management webinar series to help nonprofits adapt and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, starting May 7:

    Ask Me Anything about Health Privacy, May 6, 2020
    These monthly webinars give you the chance to ask Kate Dewhirst about your Health Privacy concerns. Register here.

    Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care In The COVID-19 Pandemic, May 6, 2020
    Choosing Wisely Canada hosts weekly webinars to discuss pressing topics around COVID-19. Join to learn and connect around freeing up these limited healthcare resources. Learn more here.

    Complicated Grief and Trauma – Skills Building Education, May 6 – July 15, 2020
    This ten-session webinar series will focus on COVID-19 related complicated and traumatic grief. Provided by the HPCO and CHPCA. Learn more here.

    PEER’s review of the evidence for COVID-19, May 7, 2020
    Join this CFPC webinar as part of the COVID-19 Pivots. Find the webinar link posted here.

    Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and COVID-19, May 7, 2020
    Join the Family Physician Airways Group for a discussion around CHF and COVID-19. To register, click here.

  • Bits & Pieces: BounceBack free CBT program, primary care guidance update & more

    Bits & Pieces: BounceBack free CBT program, primary care guidance update & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • BounceBack free CBT program available
    • AFHTO on The Agenda
    • Members’ stories
    • Updated primary care guidance and more
    • Evidence of value- Health Tapestry
    • Seeking IHP input on current practice
    • Understanding Bronchiectasis webinar audio
    • Primary Care Dietitian Association
    • Doctors’ Day is May 1
    • Nominations open for the N4’s newcomer navigation program
    • Upcoming events including Safety Considerations with Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in the Management of COVID-19

    BounceBack free CBT program available

    Mental health concerns are among the many challenges Ontarians are currently facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Mental Health Association wishes to remind you that their BounceBack program remains an effective option to support you and your patients who may be dealing with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.

    BounceBack is a free, evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skill-building program for adults and youth 15 and older. You can find out more here- English and French.

    They also have a tip sheet- 10 things you can do right now to reduce anxiety, stress, and worry related to COVID-19– English and French.

    AFHTO on The Agenda

    Be sure to watch last Friday’s episode of The Agenda, where AFHTO’s president and board chair, Dr. Tom Richard, joined Dr. Sarah Newbery, Marathon FHT and Dr. Javed Alloo to discuss how family physicians and primary care are coping with caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Georgina NPLC NPs Beth Cowper-Fung, Melissa Cassidy & John Holbrook at their community outreach COVID testing visit

    Members’ stories

    Georgina NPLC- on April 24, held a community outreach COVID testing visit. They tested thirty-one people in twenty minutes, with York Region Community Paramedics performing the ‘clean work’.

    Hamilton and McMaster FHTs– Hamilton and McMaster FHTs provide drive-thru COVID-19 testing for 60 people per day

    STAR FHT– “We should not be distancing ourselves socially. We want to stay connected,” said Hayley Stretch, a psychotherapist with the STAR Family Health Team in Stratford.

    Wawa FHT– Healthy Exercising During COVID-19 – video

    Updated primary care guidance and more

    Yesterday, the government released an updated primary care guidance document, amended from one released on Apr. 25 that needed further clarification. Other updates are:

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

    We’ll update these on a regular basis as we receive relevant resources, while trying to reduce duplication with other sources. We will continue to update the news page daily.

    Evidence of value- Health Tapestry

    A study published on April 15 examines implementation of Health TAPESTRY in relation to interprofessional teamwork including volunteers. It contributes key strategies for effective implementation of interventions. Authors include Lisa Dolovich, Gina Agarwal, Cathy Risdon of McMaster FHT. Read more here.

    Seeking IHP input on current practice

    If you’re an interprofessional health provider at a FHT, A team of researchers wants to learn more about your experience as a provider during COVID-19. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more here.

    Understanding Bronchiectasis webinar audio

    On April 21 we hosted a webinar about bronchiectasis, helping participants to understand the difference between bronchiectasis and COPD, recognize lifestyle changes needed to improve quality of life, and how to avoid environmentally acquired antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

    Presented by Isabelle LeClerc, Chronic Disease Self-Management and Support Registered Nurse, Bruyère Academic FHT, the audio for this session is now available. In true 2020 fashion, you can listen to it like a podcast while you do the dishes.

    Primary Care Dietitian Association

    Primary Care Dietitian Association

    The Primary Care Dietitian Association (PCDA) was created as a community of practice for Registered Dietitians practicing in team based primary care. PCDA will enable Registered Dietitians to provide evidence-based nutrition care.

    The Primary Care Dietitian Association enables Primary Care Dietitians to provide medical nutrition therapy, disease prevention and health promotion collaboratively within team based primary health care settings. The PCDA is committed to the Quadruple Aim and patient centric care.

    Please contact Marg Alfieri ( margalfieri@icloud.com) if you have any questions or wish to collaborate with hundreds of team-based primary care Dietitians to optimize Canadian’s health and wellness.

    Doctors’ Day 2020

    Doctors’ Day is May 1

    On Friday, May 1 we will be celebrating Doctors’ Day, to highlight the work doctors do to keep us healthy. With this year’s Doctors’ Day falling in the middle of COVID-19, the Ontario Medical Association is organizing a special moment so Ontarians can come together from a distance and participate in celebrating doctors.
    On May 1st at 9:00 p.m., they’re asking Ontarians to Shine A Light For All They Do. You can share through your channels with hashtags #DoctorsDay & #ShineALightForThem. You can also find out more at www.doctorsday.ca.

    Nominations open for the N4’s newcomer navigation program

    The National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4) is a national network for the diversity of providers who assist newcomers in navigating the complex Canadian healthcare and social service systems. They provide opportunities for education, virtual discussions, networking, and the sharing of data and resources.
    They are now accepting nominations for the second cohort of the online Newcomer Navigation Program. Teams may wish to consider nominating a member for the program! Deadline to nominate for this cohort is May 15. More information is here.

    Investigating The Current And Potential Use Of EMR Data For Primary Health Care Performance Measurement Across Canadian Jurisdictions, April 28, 2020
    Hosted by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, listen in on the key findings for jurisdictions that are optimize EMR data and performance measurement. Learn more here.

    Considerations with Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in the Management of COVID-19, April 29, 2020
    Choosing Wisely Canada hosts weekly webinars to discuss pressing topics around COVID-19. Join to learn and connect around freeing up these limited healthcare resources. Learn more here.

    COVID-19 Virtual Psychosocial Support Groups, April 30, 2020
    The de Souza institute provides nurses and healthcare providers a platform to discuss fear, normalize stress reactions and learn effective coping mechanisms and build resilience during these times. Click here to learn more.

    How to do a Virtual Asthma Visit during COVID-19, April 30, 2020
    Join the Family Physician Airways group on Thursday evening. Click here for the webinar join link.

    Ask Me Anything about Health Privacy, May 6, 2020
    These monthly webinars give you the chance to ask Kate Dewhirst about your Health Privacy concerns. Register here.

    PEER’s review of the evidence for COVID-19, May 7, 2020
    Join this CFPC webinar as part of the COVID-19 Pivots. Find the webinar link posted here.

  • An Open Letter from AFHTO, NPAO and the OCFP on PPE in Primary Care During COVID-19

    An Open Letter from AFHTO, NPAO and the OCFP on PPE in Primary Care During COVID-19

    April 15, 2020

    An open letter regarding PPE in Primary Care during COVID-19 was released today from the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO), Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO) and the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP). On behalf of our members – who are caring for patients in communities across Ontario in the midst of COVID-19 – we are seeking urgent assistance from Ontario’s Ministry of Health in ensuring access to appropriate PPE in order to safeguard patient access to primary care.

    Ontarians should not feel reluctant to visit their clinicians who can take the precautions necessary for that visit, and our members are working tirelessly to keep primary care open and operating – despite PPE shortages.

    However, we are quickly reaching a breaking point in primary care. Without the needed PPE to keep everyone in our medical offices and clinics safe, some will be forced to close their doors to in-person care. This may prompt some patients to go to the ER for in-person care, or worse, not seek care at all.

    We are recommending that the Ontario Ministry of Health immediately streamline the procurement of PPE through one central source for distribution to primary care through Ontario Health/regions and not leave primary care clinics to have to find PPE on their own.

    Read the full letter here.

  • H+K Memo on Ontario Government’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy

    MEMO:
    To: Public Affairs Clients

    From: Hill+Knowlton Strategies

    Subject: Ontario unveils its mental health and addictions strategy, Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions System

    Date: March 3, 2020

    Today, Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Associate Minister of Mental Health Michael Tibollo unveiled government’s mental health and addictions strategy, Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions System. The plan, it is said, will provide a clear path forward toward offering Ontarians easier access to higher-quality care and supports in the community, which government also believes will significantly support them in their goal to end hallway health care.

    This plan comes following “extensive consultations” in communities across Ontario over the past year, which highlighted key challenges and barriers to access for mental health and addictions services and which the Roadmap seeks to address.

    Read the full memo here.

  • Bits & Pieces: New PPE survey deadline, Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day & more

    Bits & Pieces: New PPE survey deadline, Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • New PPE survey deadline and other novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
    • Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day
    • Minister announces changes to home and community care
    • Members’ stories
    • Improving cancer screening rates slides and video
    • Psychology Month
    • Public Health Infection Prevention and Control resources
    • Hypertension focus groups invitation
    • Upcoming events including The Art of Doing More with Less

    New PPE survey deadline and other novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

    For EDs, Lead Clinicians and Board Chairs: The Ministry of Health and Ontario Health (Shared Services) have extended the deadline to complete this short survey to end of day Thursday, February 27, to assist in tracking provider preparedness. Only 34% have responded and they have emphasized the importance of filling this out.
    While we have few cases in Canada, it may be declared a worldwide pandemic soon and this will help them identify where support is needed. They will work with suppliers to distribute resources accordingly.

    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus. “Health care providers facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.”

    If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day

    OCDPA partners, including AFHTO's Beth MacKinnon, with Speaker Ted Arnott

    On Feb. 24, the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance held an Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park to call on the province to prevent hospitalizations and reduce health care costs through initiatives to prevent chronic conditions. Priorities include:

    1. Setting measurable goals for prevention to increase Ontario’s access to data on this health care issue
    2. Introducing prevention into primary care such as access to professional services, screening and tools for healthy lifestyles
    3. Incorporate prevention into Mental Health Strategy
    4. Take measure to restrict youth access to vaping products.

    Minister announces changes to home and community care
    Today the Minister announced changes to the delivery of home and community care. AFHTO will be working with our partners to better understand how this affects our members.

    Members’ stories
    North Simcoe FHT – North Simcoe FHT to anchor new medical centre in Midland – “We are expanding the family health team programming, which is why we needed more space,” said executive director Andrew Shantz. “There are quite a few health-care partners coming along with us. We are creating a medical centre that will provide a variety of different services.”

    Improving cancer screening rates SDOH

    Improving cancer screening rates slides and video

    On Feb. 20 Drs. Aisha Lofters and Tara Kiran shared practical, evidence-based ways to improve cancer screening rates and reduce income-related disparities. Slides, video and a link to the toolkit referenced are now available.

    For another way to learn, you can also view Dr. Kiran’s tweet thread here.

     

    Dr. Judith Davidson, Bright Lights 2014

    Psychology Month

    It’s Psychology Month. Thank you to all the psychologists who work with primary care teams to offer innovative programs like:

     

    Public Health Infection Prevention and Control resources
    Public Health Ontario has provided links to several Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) resources to help build capacity in primary care:

    Hypertension focus groups invitation
    Participate in a virtual focus group about system-level challenges and enablers to adopting the care outlined the Hypertension Quality Standard being developed by the Quality business unit at Ontario Health, formerly Health Quality Ontario. Your feedback will inform the recommendations for adoption to support the uptake of this quality standard.

    The Hypertension Quality Standard focus groups will be held on the following dates:

    1. Tuesday March 3, 2020 (4:00 – 5:00PM EST)- Follow this link to register via Eventbrite.
    2. Thursday March 5, 2020 (12:00 – 1:00PM EST) – Follow this link to register via Eventbrite.

    If you have any questions, please contact Tanveer Singh at tanveer.singh@hqontario.ca.

    Optimizing Your EMR For Safer Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management (Part 1), March 5, 2020
    This webinar is targeted towards family physicians and nurse practitioners in northern Ontario. Hosted by Ontario Health Quality and Ontario Pain Management Resource Partners. Learn more here.

    The Art of Doing More with Less, March 18, 2020
    This is the final webinar in AFHTO and Grant Thorton’s Financial webinar series! Join Danzel Pinto as we explore how non-profits can improve performance with financial sensibility.
    Register today!

    Rainbow Health Ontario Conference, April 21-23, 2020
    Register for Canada’s forum for LGBT2SQ health, being held in Niagara Falls this year. For more information, click here.

    ECHO Liver, March 12, 2020
    For 2020, ECHO Liver will be offering a quarterly evening series. The first is Liver Disease in Primary Care: Approach to Liver Enzymes. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: meeting the Minister, working together for change tools & resources & more

    Bits & Pieces: meeting the Minister, working together for change tools & resources & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Meeting the Minister to discuss pre budget recommendations
    • Working together for change
    • Members’ stories
    • Managing urinary incontinence in women: clinical tool
    • Novel coronavirus updates
    • Northern opioid learning community webinars, Mar. 5 & 26
    • Seeking volunteers for Early Chronic Kidney Disease priority panel
    • OASW call for proposals
    • Upcoming events including improving cancer screening and more
    AFHTO Board Executive Committee and CEO met with Minister Elliott on Feb. 13
    AFHTO Board Executive Committee and CEO met with Minister Elliott on Feb. 13

     

    Meeting the Minister to discuss pre budget recommendations

    On Feb. 13, our Board executive committee and CEO met with the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, the Hon. Christine Elliott, to talk about our pre budget recommendations with a focus on integrated care foundationally based in team based primary care and the importance of clinical leadership.

     

     

     

    Working together for change
    Connecting physicians regionally is a powerful way to spark change, to improve the delivery of comprehensive patient services, and to influence health service decision making. For those who wish to consider how they might best work together to strengthen the primary care sector – or for those who have already started! – check out Primary Care Physicians: Working Together For Change, Primary Care: Local Change Ideas, and other tools and resources on our website. This repository will be updated regularly!

    Members’ stories
    Elliott Lake FHT – budget committee approves funding for video medical clinic which was set up on a trial basis last year

    Managing urinary incontinence in women: clinical tool

    The Centre for Effective Practice has launched a new clinical tool: Managing Urinary Incontinence in Women.

    Many women feel ashamed when they experience urinary incontinence, which may prevent them from speaking to their doctors about it. If left untreated, the condition can lead more needed care later. This tool is designed to help primary care providers manage care for adult women (18+) who experience involuntary loss of urine.

    Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus. “Health care providers facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.”

    If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    Northern opioid learning community webinars, Mar. 5 & 26
    Join the Ontario Pain Management Resources Partners as they explore how to optimize your EMR to support safer pain management and opioid prescribing. Including Sandeep Gill, AFHTO Clinical KTE Specialist and members, Drs. Sarah Newbery and Ryan Patchett-Marble, Marathon FHT, and Dr.Kevin Samson, East Wellington FHT.

    Target audience: Family physicians and nurse practitioners in northern Ontario who endeavour to access relevant data to support safer opioid prescribing and pain management, including primary care clinicians and support staff

    Register for:

    Seeking volunteers for Early Chronic Kidney Disease priority panel

    The Ontario Renal Network, part of Ontario Health, is recruiting primary care providers for the Early Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Priority Panel. Its purpose is to provide strategic direction for current and future initiatives related to early CKD, including supporting primary care providers in identifying and managing patients with CKD.

    The panel will meet on a regular basis about 6 times per year and will to have representation from various groups (e.g., administrators, allied health, physicians, patient advisors). If you’re interested in learning more or joining, please email daphne.sniekers@cancercare.on.ca by February 29, 2020.

    OASW call for proposals
    The Ontario Association of Social Workers has announced a Call for Proposals for the 2020 Social Work Provincial Conference, “Innovative Approaches to Complex Needs:  Social Workers Influencing the Future of Care”, on November 13 and 14, 2020.

    They encourage submissions from students, practitioners, policy makers, researchers and academics alike. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2020. Find out more.

    Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20
    On Feb. 20 join Drs. Aisha Lofters and Tara Kiran as they share practical, evidence-based ways to improve cancer screening rates and reduce income-related disparities. Register here.

    Is your work making you wheeze? Feb. 25, 2020
    Attend this webinar suitable for healthcare providers and other employees, hosted by the Lung Association. View all Lung Associations’ upcoming events here.

    Black Physician Association Ontario Annual Health Symposium, Feb. 29, 2020
    Keynote speaker will be the inspiring Dr. Lisa Robinson, Associate Dean of Inclusion and Diversity at the University of Toronto. Learn more here.

    Primary Care Electronic Medical Record Tools for Advance Care Planning and Palliative Care, March 12, 2020
    In the third webinar in the HPCO Winter webinar series, our Board Director Dr. Kevin Samson, along with Justin Wolting from the eHealth Centre of Excellence, will be presenting to assist health care professionals and support staff.
    Learn more here.

  • Plan to Build Ontario Together Act, 2019 (Bill 138)

    On November 6, 2019, Finance Minister Rod Phillips introduced his first Fall Economic Statement: Plan to Build Ontario Together Act, 2019 (Bill 138). Bill 138 includes the Supply Chain Management Act (Government, Broader Public Sector and Health Sector Entities).

    The introduction of the Supply Chain Management Act (Government, Broader Public Sector and Health Sector Entities), 2019, is a step to set the stage for the government to work across the sector to build an integrated, patient-focused supply chain, to support a more connected health system.

    The government has been consulting with stakeholders, including AFHTO. This includes ten AFHTO members who stepped forward to participate in a focus group about successes and challenges for the government to consider in building an integrated supply chain. 

    To learn more about the Act, the Ministry of Health and H&K Strategies have provided the following resources:

    There are no immediate changes for the health sector. The legislation would only come into force with a specified regulation, and the ministry will continue to seek stakeholder input along the way.

    If you have feedback or comments on this legislation, you can email healthsupplychain@ontario.ca.

    The ministry is committed to responding to questions within 24 hours.

     

  • Second Interim Report from the Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine

    The Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine released its second interim report on June 25, 2019, entitled “A Healthy Ontario: Building a Sustainable Health Care System.”

     

    This report contains ten policy recommendations from the council to the government, intended to help the government stay on track as it works to improve the health care system. 

     

    The third recommendation is that primary care be the foundation of an integrated health care system. As examples, the report suggests ensuring OHTs facilitate clinician leadership and support strong partnerships with the primary care sector. 

     

    The report also includes support and recommendations for wrap-around care, comprehensive care plans, and “providers working in a team environment with access to a full continuum of care for their patients, as well as continued professional development support and resources.”

     

    AFHTO is pleased to see the importance of primary care outlined in the second interim report.

     

    The council consulted over 1,500 providers, patients and stakeholders – including AFHTO members – and says it will continue to engage the public on how to improve the health care system as it develops future reports with updates on how these initiatives are improving health care service delivery.

     

     

    Reports and resources:

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Premier Ford Shuffles Cabinet

    MEMO

    To: H+K Clients

    From: Hill + Knowlton Strategies (H+K)

    Date: June 20, 2019

    Almost one year since the Executive Council was sworn-in, the Ford government has made the most significant shuffle of cabinet to date. This larger, 28-member cabinet includes some new faces, while promoting those who have performed well over the past year. As a direct response to some of the challenges in the first year, the government has bolstered capacity in their key priority areas by adding associate ministers to Health, Transportation and Energy.

    Please find the complete attached memo from Hill + Knowlton Strategies to their clients on the cabinet shuffle: