Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Care for Specific Populations

  • Bits & Pieces: community investment grants, free legal services and more

    Bits & Pieces: community investment grants, free legal services and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • CIRA community investment grants
    • Happy Nutrition Month
    • Members’ stories
    • Family Justice Centre -free legal services
    • AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine & thromboembolic events, MOH updates and more
    • COVID-19 support available for isolated seniors and people with physical disabilities
    • OMA burnout survey
    • White papers on population health management and population segmentation
    • Upcoming events including supporting older persons at home and more

     

    CIRA community investment grants

    AFHTO members and/or their partners may be eligible for Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)’s Community Investment Program grants.

    Applications for more than $1 million in grants for Canadian internet projects are now open. They’re looking for not-for-profits, charities, and researchers with projects to improve Canada’s internet – with a special focus on students and northern, rural, and Indigenous communities. Learn more on how to apply. Deadline is April 14.

    Nutrition month 2021 -colourful pics of people and food

     

    Happy Nutrition Month

    March is Nutrition Month, and tomorrow is Dietitian’s Day. We appreciate our registered dietitians and their ongoing commitment to teamwork and helping patients #FindYourHealthy!

     

     

     

     

     

    Members’ stories

    Elliot Lake FHT – Elliot Lake Health Team plans first mass vaccination clinic this week

    Grandview Medical Centre & Two Rivers FHTs– Vaccination clinic now open at Langs in Cambridge

    Guelph FHT – Guelph FHT to operate 2 new vaccination clinics

    Infographic- English

    Family Justice Centre -free legal services

    There is a substantial and long-standing disparity in the ability of Ontarians to access the family justice system. In some jurisdictions, upwards of 80% of litigants begin their court cases self-represented. The inequity in access has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the backlogs caused by court closures and the inability of people to pay for legal services due to job and/or income loss.
     
    Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) recently launched Family Justice Centre (FJC) to bridge this gap.

    Through the creation of public legal education resources and regularly held virtual legal clinics, family lawyers in private practice and law students provide FREE unbundled legal services (summary advice, document preparation, legal education, and legal coaching) to individuals who are unable to afford a lawyer. Learn more by visiting their website.

    AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine & thromboembolic events, MOH updates and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    know a senior?

    COVID-19 support available for isolated seniors and people with physical disabilities

    Do you know an isolated, low income senior or person living with a physical disability, without family or community support, who needs help getting essentials during the current COVID-19 pandemic?  
    The Ontario Community Support program helps those in need get meals, groceries, medicine, and other essentials delivered through Meals on Wheels so that they can safely isolate at home. Service is available through March 2022.

    To identify a local community provider and request service, visit their site or dial 211 or 1-877-330-3213 (toll free). TTY service is also available at 1-888-340-1001.

    OMA burnout survey

    The OMA has relaunched its burnout survey to understand the impact of COVID-19 on physician burnout. The results will be compared to findings from the burnout survey completed in March 2020 to assess the impact of the pandemic on burnout over the past year. You can complete the survey here.

    White papers on population health management and population segmentation

    Health System Performance Network (HSPN)’s three supporting white papers on population health management and population segmentation are now available on their site.

    They will hosting their next webinar on OHT Improvement Measures from Health Administrative Data: Where are OHTs Starting From? on March 23 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Click here to register.

    Supporting Older Persons at Home – Learning and Collaboration During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond, Mar. 25, 2021

    Cohosted with Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario, join us for a discussion on how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Register here.

    Primary Care and the Digital Health Revolution, Mar. 17, 2021

    The University of Toronto’s webinar, hosted by the Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy, will cover the digital revolution in primary care, and how providers and patients are changing in response to it.
    Learn more here.

    Wise Practices for COVID Vaccinators, Mar. 23, 2021
    Learn how to actively design and deliver vaccination services to support high quality, safe experiences for Indigenous patients. You’ll walk away with wise practices & strategies for working in a culturally safe & respectful way.
    Find out more here.

    The COVID-19 vaccine: An interactive panel discussion, Mar. 18, 2021
    DFCM City Wide Research Rounds from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join on Zoom.

    Lessons from vaccine pilots, evolving guidance, and more, Mar 26, 2021
    The COVID-19 CoP, held by the OCFP and the University of Toronto DFCM, will be discussing lessons learned and new guidance around COVID-19 vaccines and rollout.
    Learn more here.

    Workplace investigation training course
    Training managers and/or HR people to conduct internal investigations by McDonald HR Law and Noxon Workplace Investigation. Learn more here.

  • March 8th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out

    Dear Members,

    We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Collaborative (*PC-VAC). This past week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here.

    Today, the primary care organizations had an opportunity to present to some public health units, members of the Ministry’s Public Health Branch and colleagues from the Solicitor General’s office about the role primary care plays in the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines. We highlighted equity as the grounding principle to the vaccine roll-out and provided four different scenarios where primary care is already playing a pivotal role: In-Office Primary Care Vaccine Clinics, Drive Through Clinics, Mobile Units, and Vaccines for the Homebound or Limited Mobility Individuals.

    These scenarios were based on already existing experiences in primary care and was part of an administrative table-top exercise with the PHUs which will help them finalize their public health – primary care collaborations and future work that will be done with clinical leaders. The slide deck can be found here. As more information becomes available, we will continually be providing an update.  

    Key Updates:

    • The Ontario government announced Phase Two of the Vaccine Distribution Plan, including eligible populations. The full technical briefing is available here.
    • The AstraZeneca vaccine will soon be distributed in a limited number of PHUs and primary care offices in a pilot program. Details are forthcoming. An online Community of Practice will be led by Ontario Health to support sharing of lessons learned.
    • OntarioMD will be providing additional training and onboarding on COVAXON (the vaccine registration system) for physicians, starting with those involved in vaccine pilots, including support for technical questions that arise throughout the process. More information to follow.
    • Physicians can review a Ministry INFOBulletin regarding newly negotiated compensation for vaccinations and vaccine outreach.
    • A joint letter was sent to Premier Ford and Minister Elliott from a consortium of health care associations requesting that the government build upon and enhance strategies towards an equitable vaccination rollout: “Ensuring Equity in Ontario’s Vaccination Campaign”
    • With Health Canada approval of Johnson & Johnson single-dose viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccine, and the expected acceleration of Pfizer vaccine deliveries, Ontario is expected to receive significant doses of various vaccines over the coming weeks.
    • A feature article on collaboration between sectors during Phase 1 entitled We’re All in This Together: Power of Partnership is the Key Ingredient to Vaccine Rollout Success is featured in the OHA Health System News and speaks to three examples of how primary care, hospitals and public health worked collaboratively to vaccine LTC/RH residents.

    New Resources:

    Webinars:

    • Public Health Ontario Learning Exchange: COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Equity Considerations, Wednesday, March 10, 2:00-3:00 pm. The webinar will focus on sharing of equity centered health unit practices to support COVID-19 vaccine uptake, followed by a learning exchange on prioritizing trustworthiness and trust, as well as highlighting experiences/challenges/opportunities.
    • COVID-19 and the Black community: Answering questions about COVID vaccines, Saturday, March 13, 12-3 pm: A national forum hosted by the Black Opportunity Fund and BlackNorth Initiative to hear from and engage with Black doctors, nurses, social workers, and other medical professions.
    • The COVID-19 Community of Practice, with UofT DFCM and the OCFP, will take place on Friday, March 12, and Drs. Kieran Moore and Daniel Warshafsky will cover the role for family physicians in the vaccine rollout, and the new vaccines.  

    In Case you Missed it: Learnings From Primary Care: Vaccine Roll-Out Across Ontario Webinar
    On Friday, February 26, we heard from four AFHTO teams who have stepped up to provide leadership for vaccine distribution in their communities. They spoke to work that is underway, offered guidance and advice, spoke to challenges faced and how they are resolving them, and answered questions.

    Dr. Daniel Warshafsky, Senior Medical Consultant, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, also joined the call to provide an update on vaccine roll-out and to take questions. You can access the slide deck and webinar on our site here.

    Find resources from previous weeks here.

    We look forward to continually updating you on the provincial vaccination strategy. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or ideas.

     

    Yours in good health,

    The AFHTO Team

    *Ontario Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council:

    • Alliance for Healthier Communities
    • Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    • Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
    • Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Association/Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario
    • Ontario College of Family Physicians
    • Ontario Medical Association Section on General and Family Practice
    • Ontario’s Academic Chairs of Family Medicine

  • March 1st Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out

    Dear Members,
    We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Collaborative (PC-VAC*).  This past week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here.

    The Collaborative has been working closely together and is meeting regularly with representatives from the Provincial Vaccine Task Force, public health, home care, hospitals, and other stakeholders. The provincial vaccine strategy is continuously evolving, and despite the close collaboration, we are often not privy to government decisions prior to their announcement. We are committed, however, to providing you with the most up to date information that is available to us and advocating on behalf of our colleagues and the patients that we serve.

    Even as information is uncertain there are four things that primary care can do: educate, communicate, collaborate, and vaccinate:

    • Educate: we have built trusting therapeutic relationships with our patients and can help answer questions about vaccine hesitancy and consent
    • Communicate: we have rosters of patients and can reach out easily through EMR, secure email, websites as well as our office voicemail messaging.
    • Collaborate: we have long standing relationships with public health and can be a huge help in supporting their vaccine rollout plans. Please consult your PHU’s vaccination plan for how you can best support your 80+ and other priority clients to be vaccinated. You can also reach out to the primary care liaisons for your local PHU.
    • Vaccinate: it’s at the core of what primary care providers do. Prevention is our specialty. The rollout will be faster with us helping out as part of mass vaccination clinics, mobile teams and in our own offices.

    Learnings From Primary Care: Vaccine Roll-Out Across Ontario Webinar
    On Friday, February 26, we heard from four AFHTO teams who have stepped up to provide leadership for vaccine distribution in their communities. They spoke to work that is underway, offered guidance and advice, spoke to challenges faced and how they are resolving them, and answered questions.

    Dr. Daniel Warshafsky, Senior Medical Consultant, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, also joined the call to provide an update on vaccine roll-out and to take questions. You can access the slide deck and webinar on our site here.

    Updates:

    COVAXON update
    OntarioMD is working on sending the vaccine report through HRM (source: MOH COVAX app) and the target is to have this live by the end of April. No additional information at this point as they are in the early design stage. They will have communications and an FAQ ready once they know more.

    COVID@Home  

    The Ministry of Health is working to procure oxygen saturation monitors for use by primary care professionals wishing to provide enhanced monitoring of their COVID+ patients. These devices can be requested via provincial stockpile, similar to how you request PPE, and more details on ordering will soon be available.

    Please reach out to your regional digital leads to learn more about existing remote monitoring programs in your region and how you can assist or leverage these programs for your patients. In the meantime, Ontario Health will be hosting a webinar on March 4th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on COVID@Home Monitoring for Primary Care: Clinical Pathways and Resources so please register for more information.

    Ontario Community Support Program
    Since the start of the pandemic, the Ontario Community Support Program (OCSP), funded by the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, has provided funds to help vulnerable clients stay home safely.

    This ongoing program helps low-income, isolated seniors and people with physical disabilities get the meals, groceries, medications, and other essentials they need to stay at home safely during COVID-19. This week, the Government extended the program to March 2022, creating more security for people in need. Please help raise awareness of these services so people can continue to isolate safely.

    Below is a short message you can share with your patients, families, and caregivers:

    COVID-19 Support Available for Isolated Seniors and People with Physical Disabilities

    Do you know an isolated, low-income senior or person living with a physical disability, without family or community support, who needs help getting essentials during the current COVID-19 pandemic?  
    The Ontario Community Support program helps those in need get meals, groceries, medicine, and other essentials delivered through Meals on Wheels so that they can safely isolate at home. Service is available through March 2022.

    To identify a local community provider and request service, visit www.ontariocommunitysupport.ca or dial 211 or 1-877-330-3213 (toll free). TTY service is also available at 1-888-340-1001.

    New Resources:

    • University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Ontario College of Family Physicians has released four e-modules for primary care professionals: why we need the vaccine, the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines, plans for vaccine rollout and how to build vaccine confidence among patients. Updated modules on the viral vector vaccines are coming soon.
    • COVID Learning Series: free 5-part self-paced learning series through CFPC Learn
    • Covid19 Vaccine Facts: Instagram account by Dr. Amanda Adams, Department of Family Medicine, Markham Stouffville Hospital, with answers by Canadian doctors to combat vaccine hesitancy.
    • ‘Onions Don’t Cure COVID-19’: University of Guelph students combatting COVID-19 misinformation through videos and infographics.

    Find resources from previous weeks here.

    We look forward to continually updating you on the provincial vaccination strategy. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or ideas.

     

    Yours in good health,

    The AFHTO Team

    *Ontario Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council:

    • Alliance for Healthier Communities
    • Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    • Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
    • Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Association/Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario
    • Ontario College of Family Physicians
    • Ontario Medical Association Section on General and Family Practice
    • Ontario’s Academic Chairs of Family Medicine

  • February 17th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out

    Dear Members,

    We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (*PC-VAC). Last week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here.

    We are mindful that the news regarding vaccines is evolving daily, and we will have to continue to be prepared for changes and uncertainties in the coming months as a sector. Along with our partners in primary care, we are committed to sharing regular updates, usually weekly, except on weeks where there are no significant new developments to share.

    Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health released updated sequencing of Phase One priority populations for vaccination which sets out the provincial direction for the vaccination program over the coming weeks.

    Engaging Primary Care in Vaccine Rollout – a Practical Guide for Public Health

    Key messages:

    • Public health leadership is committed to strong primary care partnerships in all phases and in all regions. These relationships are key enablers of an effective, efficient, and equitable rollout.
    • To ensure successful partnership with primary care, 1) invite primary care professionals and teams in planning and co-design, 2) involve them in feedback and rollout, and 3) inform them of local opportunities, uncertainties, and changes.
    • The enclosed partnership checklist can inform and validate existing strategies from health leaders involved in local COVID-19 vaccine planning in engaging primary care.

    Collaborating with Others:

    • Over the last two weeks, the collaborative of primary care organizations met with General (retired) Rick Hillier, Chair, COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce, who emphasized the importance of an ongoing partnership with primary care provincially and locally.
    • We were pleased to see the addition of Dr. Kieran Moore, the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health, join the Ontario Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force. Dr. Moore is a passionate advocate for public health, and as a trained family physician he will ensure that the primary care voice is added to the conversation. PC-VAC is now meeting weekly with Dr. Moore, in addition to Dr. Isaac Bogoch, to provide updates on issues arising from the field.
    • Health and primary care leaders from throughout the country led a virtual roundtable with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. During the roundtable, the Prime Minister and other participants affirmed what we know to be true: family doctors and primary care professionals are “most knowledgeable and most trusted” and “a core part of getting everyone vaccinated.”
    • Listen to the Evan Solomon Show speak to Dr. Isaac Bogoch about the importance of family physicians and primary care providers in the COVID vaccine rollout. Leveraging the existing relationships primary care has with their patients, based in trust, will accelerate vaccination in the community.

    COVAXON

    • As we had mentioned in our last update, the Ministry of Health has introduced an electronic central repository to input the vaccine information for individuals and manage site inventory called COVAXON. This web-based application will allow for ease in checking people in for their vaccination appointment, capture the consent and personal data information, as well as which health unit region they are in and their vaccination clinic site. While clinics will be required to submit names of the staff (along with user names and email addresses) to request access to the system, the mechanism to apply is not yet finalized however we will advise once we know the information. Please note however that once you get an email from the system, you must reply within 24 hours in order to complete the authentication process.
    • Access for primary care users will fall within phase two and three of the vaccine rollout and training webinars will be available prior to the on-boarding schedule to ensure that everyone is prepared. While it likely won’t be fully integrated into your EMR, we understand COVAXON system will be able to send reports of your vaccinated patients to your EMR.  
    • More on COVAXON will be shared when it becomes available.

    New Resources:

    Reminder of resources from previous weeks

    We look forward to continually updating you on the provincial vaccination strategy. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or ideas.

    Yours in good health,

    The AFHTO Team

    *Ontario Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council:

    • Alliance for Healthier Communities
    • Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    • Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
    • Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Association/Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario
    • Ontario College of Family Physicians
    • Ontario Medical Association Section on General and Family Practice
    • Ontario’s Academic Chairs of Family Medicine
  • Bits & Pieces: cultural safety toolkit, many vaccine resources and more

    Bits & Pieces: cultural safety toolkit, many vaccine resources and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Creating a safer environment for Indigenous Peoples
    • Reminder- Supply Ontario survey
    • Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar tomorrow
    • Saegis cybersecurity clinic update webinar Mar 4
    • PHAC COVID-19 vaccination toolkit for HCWs, many Ministry resources, and more
    • Wellness Together Canada
    • OCFP Awards – call for nominations
    • CPSO policy consultations including MAID
    • Noninvasive Fetal RhD Blood Group Genotyping Task Force
    • Upcoming events including engaging and supporting caregivers and more

    Creating a safer environment for Indigenous Peoples

    The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council has just released Ne’ iikaanigaana Toolkit: Creating Safer Environments for Indigenous Peoples. Ne’ iikaanigaana is the Anishinaabe word for ‘All Our Relations’.

    The toolkit was created to support mainstream organizations on their journey towards creating safer environments for Indigenous participation, which is inclusive of participating as both an employee and a client or patient seeking services.

    Reminder- Supply Ontario survey

    The government recently established Supply Ontario, a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services.

    They’re need your input to help identify opportunities to improve the value they can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline February 24.

    Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar tomorrow

    This webinar is in collaboration with two FHTs transitioning in-person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges.

    Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in their rural community. In this webinar they will share their patients’ thoughts and feelings on the program adjustment, discussing wins and struggles along the way. Register here.

    Pre-budget submission
    AFHTO submitted recommendations last week to the Ministry of Finance as part of the 2021 Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations. The submission is entitled “The Heart of Health Care: Delivering Better Primary Care for Ontarians.”  This was done in collaboration with the Ontario College of Family Physicians, the OMA Section on General & Family Practice, and the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario. The submission can be read here.

    Saegis cybersecurity clinic update webinar Mar 4

    This webinar on March 4 will explore Canadian data/trends from the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity, discuss the top security threats facing your team, and explore best practices to decrease the risk of breaches in the clinic setting. We will take a look at what a cyber-attack looks like, and how to respond if one should happen. Register today.

    COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet, cancer screening update and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Woman in pyjamas sits on the floor wth her head resting against a bed

    Wellness Together Canada

    Wellness Together Canada is Canada’s first and only online platform offering immediate mental health support for people of all ages, in every province and territory, and in both official languages.

    It provides a “stepped care” model where Canadians can be instantly connected to virtual mental health services, from a five-minute self-assessment, to extensive support and resources, to live phone, video or text counselling with a mental health professional or crisis responder.

     

    All services and resources are available at no cost to users, ever. This includes:

    • Immediate crisis support
    • Mental health self-assessment and monitoring
    • Access to self-directed virtual programs
    • Moderated community of support
    • Virtual group coached anxiety program
    • E-courses, including drop-in mindfulness class
    • Live one-on-one counselling support by video, phone, or text

    Visit Wellness Together Canada for 24/7 access to free mental health and substance use support at wellnesstogether.ca.

    OCFP Awards – call for nominations

    Nominate your colleagues for an OCFP award. Multiple categories ae open, including regional Family Physician of the Year. Deadline Feb. 28, 2021

    CPSO policy consultations including MAID

    CPSO is conducting policy consultations on the issues below. You can provide your input by March 15 for the first and April 12 for the rest:

    Noninvasive Fetal RhD Blood Group Genotyping Task Force

    The PSO Advisory Committee is looking for representation from the following categories to join the Noninvasive Fetal RhD Blood Group Genotyping Task Force:

    • Primary Care (Family Medicine, Midwifery, Nurse Practitioner)
    • Care for Indigenous Populations and/or Remote Care

    This is a short-term task force that will provide evidence-based and clinical/scientific leadership advice on implementation considerations for noninvasive fetal RhD blood group genotyping in Ontario. The terms of reference are here.

    How to Apply (Deadline: February 24, 2021):

    1. Complete and submit the RhD Task Force Survey
    2. Forward your CV to pso@bornontario.ca

    Engaging and supporting caregivers in primary care teams: working together to improve outcomes and enhance the patient, caregiver, and family experience, Feb. 25, 2021

    Cohosted with Ontario Caregiver Organization, this webinar will highlight resources and opportunities for teams to support and engage caregivers.

    Register today.

    Infection Prevention and Control at Work: Basic Awareness Training

    The PSHSA recently released this free, 30-minute training module for Ontario workers to recognize and prevent infection hazards in the workplace. Learn more here.

    Goal Management Training for Treatment of Executive Dysfunction, Feb. 19, 2021
    Learn more about the intervention, research, and models to deliver Goals Management Training virtually. Learn more here. 

    Changing the way we work: Long COVID and lessons from the UK, Feb. 19, 2021
    The COVID-19 CoP by the OCFP is covering learnings from the Dr. Greenhalgh, a renowned primary care researcher and GP in the UK. Learn more here.

    Atopic dermatitis seminar for healthcare professionals, Mar. 1, 2021

    The Eczema Society of Canada and University of Ottawa is hosting this webinar aimed towards primary care providers.
    Find out more here.

    Personal Resilience for Hospice Palliative Care, Mar. 3, 2021
    Learn how to enhance personal resilience during even the most challenging times.
    Find out more here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.

  • Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring resources, fact sheets and more

    Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring resources, fact sheets and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring program resources now available
    • Happy Psychology month
    • Supply Ontario survey
    • Interprofessional primary care during COVID-19: a survey of the provider perspective
    • Correction-anti-racism webinar series open to members
    • COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet, cancer screening update and more
    • Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar, Feb. 17, 2021
    • Trans health mentorship call
    • Infection prevention and control at work: basic awareness training
    • Microsoft Teams update
    • PHAC webinar: emerging issues on covid-19 vaccines: allergies, anaphylaxis, and low dead volume syringes
    • Upcoming events including transitioning programs to virtual and more

    COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring program resources now available

    Related to this recently launched program, Georgian Bay FHT has provided resources to help other members set up their own program, including CHMP pathway, patient information handouts and EMR assessment forms.

    Happy Psychology month

    To all our Psychologists, thank you for looking out for Ontarians’ mental health throughout the pandemic. Happy Psychology Month!

    Reminder- The Ontario Psychological Association is also still working with AFHTO to improve access to psychological services in times of need. Last spring, they activated the Disaster Response Network to connect essential front-line workers who needed support from psychologists. Until March 31st, Ontario physicians, nurse practitioners and FHTs may still refer essential workers with no or limited health benefits directly to OPA or inform patients to call 211 to be connected to a psychologist within 48 hours. Up to 6 counselling sessions are offered at no cost.

    Supply Ontario survey

    The government recently established Supply Ontario, a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services.

    They’re asking for input to help identify where there may be opportunities to improve the value that the agency can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline February 24.

    Interprofessional primary care during COVID-19: a survey of the provider perspective
    Thank you to those who participated in the survey led by Drs. Catherine Donnelly (and Jordan Miller and Rachelle Ashcroft. An article has now been published, with input from our own Sandeep Gill.

    Correction- Anti-racism webinar series open to members
    Hosted by Central Brampton FHT’s mental health team & CMHA Toronto Opening Doors Project, Anti-Racism – What is it and Where do you fit in? is a webinar series with four consecutive episodes, which offers an opportunity to explore our own individual identities and how it relates to practicing anti-racism:

    • Part 1: Reflecting on our own Identities -Feb. 17 AND 24
    • Part 2: Building Bridges: Anti-Racism 101- Mar. 3 AND 10

    Members are welcome to attend.

    COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet, cancer screening update and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar, Feb. 17, 2021

    This webinar is in collaboration with two FHTs transitioning in-person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges.

    Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in their rural community. In this webinar they will share their patients’ thoughts and feelings on the program adjustment, discussing wins and struggles along the way. Register here.

    Trans health mentorship call

    Rainbow Health Ontario’s Trans Health Mentorship call is a teleconference every other week for Ontario clinicians to connect with peers who have experience caring for trans and non-binary service users.  

    The call is open to any professional (physician, nurse, social worker, mental health worker, etc.) who is or will be working with trans and non-binary service users. Learn more here.

    An employee with glasses, mask and glove cleans a counter

     

    Infection prevention and control at work: basic awareness training

    A new online training program is now available to help Ontario workers recognize infection hazards in the workplace and what can be done to prevent them. Developed in consultation with infection control consultants and epidemiologists, this free, 30-minute eLearning program from Public Services Health & Safety Association equips workers with knowledge in how infections spread and what action can be taken to protect themselves and others in the workplace.

     

     

    Microsoft Teams update

    AFHTO continues its conversations with Ontario Health on extending the Microsoft 365 licensing (which includes Microsoft Teams) to AFHTO members. Ontario Health is working through the details with Microsoft, and they are considering affiliate licensing that would be made available through a licensing provider. AFHTO will advise members when the affiliate licensing has been set up, along with the details on the discount pricing (hopefully before fiscal year end).

    PHAC webinar: emerging issues on covid-19 vaccines: allergies, anaphylaxis, and low dead volume syringes

    Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) webinar hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID):
    English Session
    February 10, 2021 1pm-3:00pm EST
    Register: Click here
     
    French Session
    February 12, 2021  1pm-3:00pm EST
    Register: Click here
     
    Previous Public Health Agency of Canada COVID-19 vaccine webinars for health care providers can be found here.

    Engaging and supporting caregivers in primary care teams: working together to improve outcomes and enhance the patient, caregiver, and family experience, Feb. 25, 2021

    Cohosted with Ontario Caregiver Organization, this webinar will highlight resources and opportunities for teams to support and engage caregivers.

    Register today.

    Waiting Room Revolution – A Podcast About Unlocking the Secrets to a Better Illness Experience

    Drs. Hsien Seow and Samantha Winemaker share the stories of patients and families’ serious illness journeys. Listen to the first 4 episodes today.

    Goal Management Training for Treatment of Executive Dysfunction, Feb. 19, 2021
    Learn more about the intervention, research, and models to deliver Goals Management Training virtually. Learn more here.

    Recognizing and Managing Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care during COVID-19, Feb. 9, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with experts in the field and resources about how to support patients presenting in primary care with symptoms of anxiety. Register here.

    Personal Resilience for Hospice Palliative Care, Mar. 3, 2021
    Learn how to enhance personal resilience during even the most challenging times.
    Find out more here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.

    Advance Care Planning & Goals of E-Learning Modules, Available until Mar. 31, 2021
    The HPCO is offering their e-modules on person-centred decision making for a limited time. Register before the end of March to access the resources. Learn more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: engaging and supporting caregivers webinar Feb. 25 and more

    Bits & Pieces: engaging and supporting caregivers webinar Feb. 25 and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Engaging and Supporting Caregivers, Feb. 25
    • Members’ stories
    • Anti-racism webinar series open to members
    • Mental Health and Additions Centre of Excellence supports for HCW and more
    • Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing QI slides and video
    • Improving access and navigation to psychological services during COVID-19
    • Prenatal Screening Ontario seeking working group members
    • Survey to better understand public beliefs and perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccines
    • COVID-19 cohort study in GTA
    • Joint letter on vaccination roll-out and community providers
    • Upcoming events including transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual and more

    Engaging and Supporting Caregivers, Feb. 25

    There are 3.3 million family caregivers in Ontario who play a critical role in health outcomes. We are pleased to cohost a webinar with the Ontario Caregiver Organization which will highlight resources and opportunities for teams to support and engage caregivers:

    • Learn about the Ontario Caregiver Organization and the key programs, services and resources they offer.
    • Learn about three key caregiver-related strategies that can positively impact health outcomes and the patient/family/caregiver experience.
    • Find out about resources, programs, and actions that teams can take to help advance these strategies.

    Register for this webinar on Feb. 25.

    Members’ stories

    City of Lakes Family FHT staff with the Tim Hortons for Good campaign van

    City of Lakes FHT – The City of Lakes Family FHT was visited by the Tim Hortons for Good campaign Feb. 1.

    Georgian Bay FHT – South Georgian Bay OHT has launched a Home Monitoring Program to care for high-risk patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19.

    Anti-racism webinar series open to members
    Hosted by Central Brampton FHT’s mental health team & CMHA Toronto Opening Doors Project, Anti-Racism – What is it and Where do you fit in? is a webinar workshop series which offers an opportunity to explore our own individual identities and how it relates to practicing anti-racism:

    • Part 1: Reflecting on our own Identities -Feb. 17 & 24
    • Part 2: Building Bridges: Anti-Racism 101- Mar. 3 & 10

    Members are welcome to attend.

    Mental Health and Additions Centre of Excellence supports for HCW and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing QI slides and video

    Choosing Wisely webinar slide

    On January 27 we cohosted a webinar with Choosing Wisely Canada on improving practice, enhancing patient experiences, and reducing unnecessary tests and treatments. Slides and video are now available.

    Improving access and navigation to psychological services during COVID-19

    Ontario Psychological Association has recently launched Askforhelptoday.ca, a new e-referral and matching service that improves the way Ontarians connect to psychological services. Funded by RBC Insurance, it utilizes technology from Strata Health Solutions to match patients to the most appropriate provider. OPA navigators will ensure each patient is connected quickly and confidentially to a psychologist based on their needs and personal preferences. This can be paid either through benefits or out of pocket.

    The Ontario Psychological Association is also still working with AFHTO to improve access to psychological services in times of need. Last spring, they activated the Disaster Response Network to connect essential front-line workers who needed support from psychologists. Until March 31st, Ontario physicians, nurse practitioners and FHTs may still refer essential workers with no or limited health benefits directly to OPA or inform patients to call 211 to be connected to a psychologist within 48 hours. Up to 6 counselling sessions are offered at no cost.

    Woman in blue shirt making heart on stomach

     

    Prenatal Screening Ontario seeking working group members

    Consider using your experience to support Ontario’s prenatal screening system. Prenatal Screening Ontario depends on input from experts and advisors from relevant fields to ensure that all the elements of a robust screening program are best carried out.

    They’re looking for representation from across all regions of Ontario including Northern Ontario, rural and Indigenous communities, to join the Genetics Working Group and Education Working Group. Check out their website for more details about the working groups, and how to apply. The deadline for applications is February 19, 2021.

    Survey to better understand public beliefs and perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccines

    To facilitate coordinated action in primary care, Women’s College Research Institute is seeking to understand beliefs relating to the COVID-19 vaccine and what supports are needed for healthcare professionals in primary care.

    You are invited to complete a brief survey to help them better understand your perspectives and experience.

    Note: They will be distributing this survey monthly for a total of four months to understand how experiences are changing over time.

    Click here to access the survey.

    COVID-19 cohort study in GTA

    A COVID-19 Research Study led by Mt. Sinai Hospital and funded by Weston Foundation, Physicians’ Services Inc., and COVID-19 Immunity Task Force is looking for people working in private medical offices and clinics in the Toronto area. The COVID-19 Cohort Study (CCS) follows staff and their families throughout the pandemic to find out the rate of COVID-19 infection, antibody levels over time, and the uptake of vaccines against COVID-19.

    The researchers are looking for staff who have direct patient contact as well as those that have no contact with patients.

    For more information about the study visit here.

    Joint letter on vaccination roll-out and community providers
    AFHTO, in partnership with other primary care and home care associations, wrote to Premier Ford and Minister Elliott last week regarding the need to plan the vaccination roll-out to vulnerable and home-bound individuals.

    “While we understand that currently, there is a shortage of vaccines, and that this reality is outside of the province’s control, we are concerned that there is not a transparent plan around how needles are going to get into the arms of people identified to be in Stage 2, namely those that are vulnerable and/or home-bound and the providers that care for them.”

    Read the full letter here.

    Primary care virtual groups – transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual

    This webinar is in collaboration with two FHTs transitioning in-person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges.

    Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in their rural community. In this webinar they will share their patients’ thoughts and feelings on the program adjustment, discussing wins and struggles along the way. Register here.

    Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID: A virtual course for family caregivers, starting Feb. 2, 2021
    This course will run for 6 weeks beginning on Tuesday February 2, 2021. Find out more here.

    Changing the way we work: Update on COVID-19 Vaccines, Feb. 5, 2021
    The next in OCFP/DFCM COVID-19 CoP sessions. Register here.

    Recognizing and Managing Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care during COVID-19, Feb. 9, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with experts in the field and resources about how to support patients presenting in primary care with symptoms of anxiety. Register here.

    What do Covid-19 vaccines mean for me? Feb. 18, 2021
    Part two of The Globe and Mail and The Royal Society of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine series. Register here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.

  • Bits & Pieces: primary care virtual groups webinar, immunization for specific groups, and more

    Bits & Pieces: primary care virtual groups webinar, immunization for specific groups, and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Primary care virtual groups – transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual
    • Members’ stories
    • Planning immunization for specific groups, complicated grief and more
    • Online safety and data backup- tips from TechSoup Canada
    • IBS/Low FODMAP diet: video series from Thames Valley FHT RDs
    • Ontario Health Connection newsletter
    • MEQ and MME update
    • Statistics Canada hiring for 2021 census
    • Upcoming events including The Globe and Mail COVID-19 vaccine series and more

    Primary care virtual groups – transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual

    This webinar is in collaboration with two FHTs transitioning in-person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges.

    Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in their rural community. In this webinar they will share their patients’ thoughts and feelings on the program adjustment, discussing wins and struggles along the way. Register here.

    Members’ stories

    Georgian Bay FHT – what it’s like at a COVID assessment centre
    Mount Sinai Academic FHT- Supporting family medicine residents during a pandemic

    Planning immunization for specific groups, complicated grief and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    The Nonprofit Guide to Online Safety: Protectign Your Passwords

     

    Online safety and data backup- tips from TechSoup Canada

    If you’re not signed up for TechSoup Canada’s newsletter, their latest addresses issues of online safety and data backup, among other relevant WFH technical and IT topics for nonprofits.

     

     

    IBS and the Low Fodmap Diet

     

    IBS/Low FODMAP diet: video series from Thames Valley FHT RDs

    Thames Valley FHT RDs have produced a patient education video series on managing IBS. Each video is 4-5 minutes in length.

    Find out more here.

     

    Ontario Health Connection newsletter

    Ontario Health has just sent their first newsletter of 2021. If you haven’t done so already, you can sign up for them to get up to date information on resources available to you.

    MEQ and MME update

    eHealth Centre of Excellence’s Opioid Management Toolkit calculates MEQ and the Telus PS Suite update now features MME calculations. Get the details here.

    Statistics Canada hiring for 2021 census
    The next census will take place in May 2021 and Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 people across the country to assist in census data collection activities. Please promote this to your patients if they may have been financially affected by COVID-19.

    Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing Quality Improvement in Primary Care, Jan. 27, 2021

    Engaging primary care providers in QI is particularly relevant now, as the pandemic has further emphasized the importance of resource stewardship given the urgent care needs and constraints related to COVID-19. Learn more and register here.

    Let’s Talk… About the things that make you happy, Jan. 28, 2021

    MindBeacon webinar on Bell Let’s Talk Day for a talk about values, taking positive action and living a more resilient life. Register here.

    Digital Health/EServices for OHTs, Jan. 28, 2021 

    Gain an understanding of the digital supports available and how to leverage eConsult and eReferral to support your OHT’s priority patient populations.
    Learn more about this RISE webcast here.

    Recognizing and Managing Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care during COVID-19, Feb. 9, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with experts in the field and resources about how to support patients presenting in primary care with symptoms of anxiety. Register here.

    Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID: A virtual course for family caregivers, starting Feb. 2, 2021
    This course will run for 6 weeks beginning on Tuesday February 2, 2021. Find out more here.

    Changing the way we work: Update on COVID-19 Vaccines, Feb. 5, 2021
    The next in OCFP/DFCM COVID-19 CoP sessions. Find out more here.

    What do Covid-19 vaccines mean for me? Feb. 18, 2021
    Part two of The Globe and Mail and The Royal Society of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine series. Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: Free PPE portraits, STBBI funding opportunity, and more

    Bits & Pieces: Free PPE portraits, STBBI funding opportunity, and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Free PPE portraits
    • Togetherall funding ended, vaccine education for patients and more
    • Members’ stories
    • Joint letter on paid sick leave
    • Apply for HIV and Hepatitis C funding by Jan. 29
    • Reminder- Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing Quality Improvement in Primary Care, Jan. 27, 2021
    • Reminder- Call for abstracts- Choosing Wisely Canada
    • Upcoming events including managing COVID-19 in primary care and more

    Free PPE portraits

    Three staff with portraits

    PPE Portraits Canada is a national medical and graduate student run initiative (www.ppeportraits.ca) providing free smiling laminated headshots for healthcare professionals to wear on their scrubs so patients can see their faces beneath all their PPE.
     
    They are supported by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto as well as medical faculties at other Canadian institutions including McGill University, University of Ottawa, and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Their PPE Portraits (example above) have received IPAC Canada approval at hospitals across the country including UofT-affiliated hospitals in Toronto and Mississauga.
     
    To date they have provided over 1000 healthcare professionals with free PPE Portraits across the country! If you would like your own free PPE Portrait please fill out this form: www.icubp.org/ppeToronto

    Togetherall funding ended, vaccine education for patients and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Members’ stories

    Niagara North FHT – Medical hub in Niagara expected for Niagara North FHT in 2022
    Elliot Lake FHT- Dr. Cathy Groh reflects on their community’s efforts to protect one another

    Picture of Paid sick leave pdf

     

    Joint letter on paid sick leave

    On Jan. 14, nine healthcare and community organizations sent a letter to Premier Ford requesting paid sick leave:

    We request that the Government of Ontario require all employers to provide a minimum of five annual paid sick days, and that the 2021 provincial budget fund and support employers to increase this to ten annual sick days during a declared infectious disease emergency like COVID-19.

    Read more here.

     

     

    Apply for HIV and Hepatitis C funding by Jan. 29

    Members may be eligible to apply for the Public Health Agency of Canada funding to address sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections through:

    Deadline to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) is January 29, 2021.

    Reminder- Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing Quality Improvement in Primary Care, Jan. 27, 2021

    Engaging primary care providers in QI is particularly relevant now, as the pandemic has further emphasized the importance of resource stewardship given the urgent care needs and constraints related to COVID-19. Learn more and register here.

    Reminder- Call for abstracts- Choosing Wisely Canada
    Choosing Wisely Canada’s Sixth Annual National Meeting will be offered virtually on May 12 and May 13, 2021. You can submit an abstract by February 1, 2021. Find out more.

    Managing COVID-19 in Primary Care, Jan. 19 – Feb. 23, 2021

    Registration is still open for the final 5 sessions in ECHO Ontario’s Primary Care conversations, hosted by UHN.
    View the remaining topics here.

    Education Series on Measurement-Based Care in Mental Health, starting Jan. 21, 2021
    Free virtual education sessions by Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence, the Ontario Hospital Association and the University of Toronto’s Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. Register here.

    The COVID-19 vaccine: sharing best practices and answering your questions, Jan. 22, 2021
    The next COVID-19 Community of Practice for Ontario Family Physicians session. Register here.

    Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID: A virtual course for family caregivers, starting Feb. 2, 2021
    This course will run for 6 weeks beginning on Tuesday February 2, 2021. Find out more here.

    OntarioMD Educates: Digital Health and Virtual Care Curriculum, Jan. 27 & Feb. 24, 2021
    Join the virtual care conversations in this series of 10 sessions. In January, hear about Virtual Care as Core to Practice with COVID and Beyond, and Privacy and Cybersecurity in February. Register here

    ICES Winter Forum: Data and Analytics in Critical Times, Feb. 17, 2021
    Focused on data and analytics to support pandemic planning and response, highlighting Ontario, Canadian and international evidence and perspective. Register here.

  • January 15th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out

    Dear Members,

    We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (*PC-VAC). Each week, we advocate for a shared set of bottom-line messages to vaccine decision-makers. You can read the bottom lines for this week here.

    We are also committed to sharing with you weekly news on the work underway, and have several key updates for this week:

    1. Ontario has released a technical briefing with further details of its vaccination plan. The plan outlines priority populations in each phase, as well as anticipated vaccine delivery timelines.

    • See the figure at the bottom of this email, which indicates that all primary care providers and their staff will be immunized in Phase 1, vaccine dependent.

    2. Primary care is ready to support vaccine efforts, and each community is at different stages of deployment and primary care partnership.

    • Thank you to the 3,000+ primary care professionals who raised their hands to support vaccine efforts during our recent call out for LTC. We continue to share these lists with the public health units.
    • Ontario has a forthcoming Public Health Playbook for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, which emphasizes early partnerships with primary care.
    • In the meantime, we are working with provincial public health leaders to assess individual public health unit needs and emphasize the willingness of our primary care community to support vaccine efforts. We anticipate that each region will have different needs that you may have an opportunity to support in the months ahead. We will share successes and actively help to spread best practices across regions.
    • We are also working with provincial public health leaders to develop a package for primary care that will include direction around consent, medical directives and other relevant resources and tools.

    3. As we await broader vaccine rollout, there are ways we can make a difference.

    4. We continue to advocate on your behalf to the Ministry of Health and other decision-makers.

    • We are asking for regular, transparent communications from the Ministry of Health, Public Health, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force to the broader primary care community.
    • The Ministry of Health released healthcare worker prioritization guidance on January 8th. We are now advocating for specific details regarding when and how our physicians and primary care providers will be immunized, which we expect to happen over the coming weeks.
    • The Ministry of Health also released updated guidance on H-codes. To support the provincial vaccination strategy, the ministry is expanding the criteria used to designate COVID-19 Assessment Centres to include any sites where a Hospital or Public Health Unit (PHU) coordinates COVID-19 vaccination delivery. The Ministry will release an INFOBulletin on this update shortly.
    • We also understand that the Ministry of Health is working on a provincial training rollout for COVAX, as well as EMR integration for future primary care vaccination settings.
    • Note that the Ministry’s new Ontario matching portal for vaccination support is not intended for vaccinators.
    • Finally, we are advocating for a multi-pronged approach, which includes the following elements:
    • Mass vaccination hubs – offered in partnership with public health and hospitals and staffed by primary care and community health professionals.
    • Mobile vaccination teams – to deploy to congregate settings, high rise apartments, homebound older adults, and other people who have challenges going to a vaccine hub.
    • Community based, equity-focused vaccination efforts for communities that face barriers otherwise accessing vaccination clinics.
    • Regular flu vaccine model — office-based, opportunistic vaccinations out of primary care practices and in collaboration with pharmacy partners.

    5. To facilitate coordinated action in primary care, we are seeking to understand beliefs relating to the COVID-19 vaccine and what supports are needed for healthcare professionals in primary care. Please complete this new, very brief survey to help us better understand your perspectives and experience. Click here to access the survey.

    As a friendly reminder, the Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (PC-VAC) is not a decision-making body. Rather, we are respectfully emphasizing to decision-makers that primary care must play a central role in current and future vaccination efforts.

    Please let us know if you have any questions or ideas.

    Yours in good health,

    The AFHTO Team

    *Ontario Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council:

    • Alliance for Healthier Communities
    • Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    • Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
    • Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Association/Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario
    • Ontario College of Family Physicians
    • Ontario Medical Association Section on General and Family Practice
    • Ontario’s Academic Chairs of Family Medicine