In advance of the expected annual increase in health system demand due to the approaching influenza season, the ministry would like to provide an overview of actions we are taking to help partners mitigate and prepare for health system pressures. While concerns have been raised regarding the early season Australia has experienced in 2019, it is unclear what this means for Ontario given our very different preceding season and inter-season activity. Monitoring and preparedness for any early or unusual influenza activity in 2019-20 has begun and will continue throughout the season as per usual. This is also a year of change in the health system, and it is important that all parts of the system work together to manage the potential impact.
We are updating the annual ministry Planning Guide for Respiratory Pathogen Season, expected to be released by end of September. The guide will include sector-specific resources, planning considerations/expectations and recommended practices. This guide will also include an overview of response actions undertaken by the Health System Emergency Management Branch (HSEMB) throughout the influenza season.
HSEMB will hold its annual Respiratory Pathogen Surge Knowledge Exchange Webinar in October with partners from across the Ministry, Public Health Ontario (PHO) and other health system partners to provide an overview of the upcoming influenza season and readiness activities, highlight process changes from last year, and answer any questions. An invitation for this webinar will be sent to health system partners.
Please see the complete memo below for recommendations for health care providers in Ontario:
This email is being sent to EDs, Lead Clinicians and Board Chairs of AFHTO member organizations.
The Ministry of Health is undergoing significant Health Sector Supply Chain Transformation in partnership with the Ministry of Long-Term Care, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and the Treasury Board.
They’re trying to integrate the various vendors currently in the health care space by coming up with seamless supply chain management practices – this voluntary initiative will initially be focusing on streamlining the work of OHTs but they hope to offer this across all sectors eventually.
The Ministry wants to have an AFHTO-focused workshop in October and we’re looking for volunteers to participate in person or virtually through Zoom to provide insight on how supply chain works now and how it could work in the future – they’re hoping to have a variety of professions at the workshop including physicians, NPs and executive directors. The workshop is scheduled for:
Date: Oct 10th – 9:30 – 11:30 am
Location: 18 York Street or via Webex
FROM: Helen Angus
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Health
RE: Ministry of Health – Organizational Realignment
As the Ministry of Health continues to modernize Ontario’s publicly-funded health care system in order to end hallway health care, build a connected mental health and addictions system, improve patient experience and strengthen local services, we are entering a significant and exciting period of implementation across several initiatives.
To ensure that the Ministry of Health is structured to best deliver on our mandate and support our health sector partners, we are making several structural changes to our organization.
As of September 16, 2019, the following divisions will be established and report to Mel Fraser, Associate Deputy Minister, Health Services:
Ontario Health Teams Division
Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are a signature piece of this government’s mandate to integrate a broad continuum of care around patients. We are excited to build the capacity to support and scale OHTs across the province through the new Ontario Health Teams Division (OHTD). The division will be led by Executive Lead Phil Graham who will be responsible for providing leadership and oversight to facilitate the development and creation of OHTs. Phil will also continue to provide oversight over home and community care as we move forward with modernization.
Mental Health and Addictions Division
Improving the treatment of mental health and addictions is one of the government’s key priorities. The Mental Health and Addictions Division (MHAD) will be established under the leadership of Karen Glass, Assistant Deputy Minister. This division will lead the development and implementation of Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
Capacity Planning and Analytics Division
To integrate capacity planning, analytic functions and the health human resource strategy, the ministry will create a Capacity Planning and Analytics Division (CPAD), led by Assistant Deputy Minister Michael Hillmer. As a result, the existing Capacity Planning and Capital Division and the Information Management, Data and Analytics Division will be merged into one division.
Emergency Health Services Division
The important work of the Emergency Health Program Management and Delivery Branch and the Emergency Health Regulatory and Accountability Branch will be realigned to create a new Emergency Health Services Division (EHSD), led by Assistant Deputy Minister Alison Blair.
Public Health Modernization
Alison will also take on the Executive Lead role for Public Health modernization. Reporting jointly to me and the Associate Deputy Minister – and working in close partnership with Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, and his team – Alison will support consultations with the sector to plan and implement the modernization of public health and emergency health services.
The following divisions will also be renamed or realigned to support the ministry’s mandate:
The Strategic Implementation Division will be renamed the Health Transformation Division (HTD). This division, led by Assistant Deputy Minister Sean Court, will continue to lead the implementation of the ministry’s key transformation initiatives, including continued support for the establishment of the new Ontario Health agency and the cross-government supply chain initiative, with a focus on ensuring minimum disruption to patients and the health care sector.
The Digital Health Secretariat, currently led by Assistant Deputy Minister Greg Hein, will be renamed the Digital Health Division (DHD) and realigned, reporting to Mel Fraser, Associate Deputy Minister, Health Services. The division will support a digital approach to all of our health service modernization, which will help ensure alignment between the ministry’s and our partners’ priorities.
Mike Heenan, who recently joined the ministry as Assistant Deputy Minister, Hospitals and Emergency Services, will add health capital to his new division, now named the Hospitals and Capital Division (HCD). Mike’s experience in the hospital sector positions him well to take on this role. With this division we will now have a full picture of the hospital sector in one place, including the operational impact of capital investments to support the government’s strategy to end hallway healthcare.
Patrick Dicerni’s Strategic Policy and Planning Division will be renamed the Strategic Policy, Planning and French Language Services Division (SPPFLSD) and will provide centralized and coordinated support for the sector’s French language services. In addition, Patrick will also provide leadership to the Drugs and Devices Division on a temporary basis pending a formal recruitment.
Given these new supports and realignments, the French Language Services Office will move to the Health Equity Branch, SPPFLSD, where it will continue to provide strategic advice on the French Language Services Act. The Health Equity Branch will be renamed the Indigenous, French Language and Priority Populations Branch. The Community, Mental Health Addictions and French Language Services Division (CMHAFLSD) will be dissolved. The division’s remaining branch, Primary Health Care, will be moved to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Division (OHIPD). This realignment will provide the expertise to achieve better health outcomes and maximize the value of the provincial investment in the health care system.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your partnership and collaboration. Today’s announcement will ensure we are ready to work with you on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Helen Angus
public://2019-09/MOH Deputy Minister Angus Stakeholder memo-Ministry of Health – Organizational Realignment.pdf
RISE webinar series to address key topics for teams invited to submit an OHT full application form
Tools and resources for the AOP submission
What to do before Sep. 4 to enhance your conference experience
Check out an example of an OHT website
CCO call for expressions of interest: ultrasound reporting working group
Upcoming events regarding OHTs and more
RISE webinar series to address key topics for teams invited to submit an OHT full application
The RISE regional sessions by McMaster Health Forum are now transitioning to a series on topics for teams invited to submit an Ontario Health Team (OHT) full application. They will build on lessons learned from, and sometimes feature, team members who participated in the regional sessions. Many of the insights will be relevant to teams in development and teams in discovery as well.
Monday, Sep. 9, 2019 12:00-1 PM – How OHTs can approach their work with an attributed population
Thursday, Sep. 19, 2019 12:00-1 PM – Key considerations for OHTs working with Francophone and Indigenous communities [Provisional title]
Monday, Sep. 23, 2019 12:00-1 PM – Topic to be confirmed
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019 12:00-1 PM – Topic to be confirmed
Tools and resources for the AOP submission
The 2019-20 Annual Operating Plan was distributed on August 16 with a deadline of September 25 at 5 PM. Check out AFHTO’s website for materials and resources:
Book your hotel room Our room block is now open to the public, but you can still book available rooms at our group rate. September is a busy month for hotels so make sure you’re paying the best rate for the best location. Prices start at $222/night. That’s more than $100 discount on current rates!
Book your tickets with Porter Airlines, Air Canada and/or VIA Rail Canada to get the best rates and times for your schedule.
Volunteer: We have volunteer opportunities onsite for deeply discounted registration, such as registration desk, attendee assistance at breakfast and lunch and wayfinding. Email paula.myers@afhto.ca if you’re interested.
Referral: We have received entries for our referral program but so far it’s a tie! So we’re extending the deadline until Sep. 12. All non-members have to do is say who recommended them during registration and the organization with the most referrals wins a complimentary registration! Non-members and members alike can win. Any existing registration for the winning team as of Sep. 12 can be refunded as well.
Check out an example of an OHT website
Guelph and Area OHT, led by Guelph FHT, has a temporary website for interested partners that’s garnered positive feedback. Check it out, as well as other resources, tools, and supports that are regularly updated on our OHT webpage.
CCO call for expressions of interest: ultrasound reporting working group
Cancer Care Ontario’s Ontario Gynecologic Cancers Advisory Committee has identified the need for standardized ultrasound reporting of adnexal masses as a top priority to address a quality gap in ovarian cancer diagnosis and management. They’re seeking members for the Adnexal Masses Standardized Ultrasound Reporting Working Group. Please review the Call for Expressions of Interest. If you’re interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Michelle Zang at Michelle.Zang@cancercare.on.ca by September 3, 2019.
AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019 The early bird deadline closes next week! Members save 50% off their registration when using the early bird rates. Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care.Register now!
OHT Webcast Series: The Shift To Shared Leadership, September 12, 2019
AFHTO and the OCSA will review approaches to creating shared leadership tables and/or working groups, and offer practical “OHT Starter Kit” tips and tools. For more information or to register, click here.
Primary Care Virtual Community, September 25, 2019
The primary care virtual community, brought together as an AFHTO/OCFP partnership with Change Foundation, will bring together primary care change makers interested in leading in their context and supporting meaningful system change within the Ontario healthcare system. Find out more here.
Understanding an evolving opioid crisis, September 11, 2019
HQO’s next Quality Rounds Ontario webinar, rescheduled. Find out more here.
NEW Ontario follow-up care clinical guidance summaries for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors
Free workshop to develop support for patient-oriented research
Managing benzodiazepine use in older adults- tool available
LeaderShift Conference
Upcoming events regarding opioids, COPD and more
Full OHT List now available
The Ministry of Health has posted the full list of Ontario Health Teams online. A number of our teams are actively involved in the application and in development phase including two in development by members ESF NORD-ASKI and Huron Shores FHT.
The list can be used as a resource by any health service provider or organization to connect with an existing team that has already started the Ontario Health Team journey.
August 9: Our referral program is only open until next Friday, August 9, 2019. All non-members have to do is say who recommended them during registration and the organization with the most referrals wins a complimentary registration! Please remind your partners and stakeholders to mention your team’s name! Non-members and members alike can win.
August 19:Book your hotel room before August 19. This ensures you get our group rate. After this date, rooms are released to the public. Prices start at $222/night. That’s more than $100 discount on current rates!
August 19: IHP Sessions– we still need leads for the Administrative and Social workers
individual sessions. If no leads are confirmed by August 19, we may have to cancel these sessions. All IHP session leads get a $50 discount on conference registration. Email us for more information.
NEW Ontario follow-up care clinical guidance summaries for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors
Cancer Care Ontario is sharing the new provincial follow-up care clinical guidance summaries for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, now available on their website. The summaries are to serve as concise and user-friendly informational tools for primary care providers to support the delivery of evidence-based follow-up care to their patients. If you have any questions, please email the Transitions in Care Team at TransitionsInCare@CancerCare.on.ca.
Free workshop to develop support for patient-oriented research
Do you know any patient partners, policymakers, managers or researchers who would benefit from learning more about how patient-oriented research can improve the patient experience and patient outcomes? If so, McMaster Health Forum is asking you to encourage them to register for one of their two remaining free, online training sessions:
Sept. 9 – Nov. 25, 2019 (sessions on Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30 – 3:30pm)
Jan. 6 – Mar. 23, 2020 (sessions on Mondays and Thursdays, 12 – 1pm)
This is a limited opportunity for them to help bring a strong patient voice to both research and decision-making. Over 11 weeks, this virtual course will better prepare participants to support the conduct and use patient-oriented research in Ontario’s health system and become mentors to others looking to do the same.
Managing benzodiazepine use in older adults- tool available
The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) has published a new clinical tool to support the assessment and discussion of the use of benzodiazepines with older patients.
LeaderShift Conference Read more about the LeaderShift Conference that was held on July 11, 2019 and how attendees were able to connect and collaborate with their peers, learning how they were part of the #shapetheshift movement currently underway in the province.
AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!
Understanding an evolving opioid crisis, August 8, 2019
HQO’s next Quality Rounds Ontario webinar. Find out more here.
COPD Workshop, August 26, 2019
The Lung Association’s – Ontario’s Provider Education Program will host a COPD Workshop in Mississauga and via OTN. Register here.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada: Clinical Trials – What you Need to Know, August 6, 2019
This webcast will provide blood cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals with an overview of clinical trials concepts and processes. Find out more here.
Tomorrow’s the deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council
Seeking input: two draft quality standards for asthma care
Advancing frailty care in the community collaborative
Primary Care Virtual Community update
Seeking your input on patient and team engagement about concussion
Get rid of your fax machine: Ontario Privacy Commissioner annual report
Upcoming events regarding dementia and more
AFHTO members & OHTs
On July 18, 2019, the Minister of Health, Hon. Christine Elliott, hosted a town hall to provide an update on the next steps for becoming an Ontario Health Team (OHT) for those who completed a self-assessment. Of the more than 150 readiness assessments received, 74 teams have demonstrated the core components necessary for the development of the OHT (inclusion of primary care, acute care and community care).
Thirty-one (31) teams have been invited to proceed to full application phase (which need to be submitted by October) and then forty-three (43) teams are moving to in development.
After the town hall, multiple announcements for individual applications went out and AFHTO members so far are either leading or actively involved in multiple OHTs who can now proceed to full application.
While AFHTO is working with our partners to determine supports and resources for our members, the Ministry has also engaged the McMaster Health Forum with housing some tools. Visit Rapid-Improvement Support and Exchange (RISE) – an interactive website that provides access to resources, experts and assistance for potential Ontario Health Teams.
Last call for LEADS learning series cohorts
As you know, our Ontario health care landscape is currently undergoing major systems transformation. Now more than ever, our leaders need the confidence to lead, the capacity to collaborate and the courage to transform!
APPLY TODAY! If you have already attended the series and know of a colleague who could benefit from this experience don’t forget to encourage them to apply!
Let’s #shapetheshift together.
Tomorrow’s the deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council
There are two vacancies on AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council and we’re inviting all AFHTO-member IHPs to apply. More information and the Terms of Reference are here. One vacancy is a regular two-year term and the other is a one-year term for a maternity leave.
Interested members are asked to complete this application by tomorrow Wednesday, July 31. Any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon.
Seeking input: two draft quality standards for asthma care
Two quality standards are underway to address asthma care – because about 50% of people with asthma live with uncontrolled symptoms. Please share your thoughts on these draft quality standards by August 8, 2019:
They’re accompanied by draft patient guides to help patients and caregivers ask informed questions of their health care providers. Both are being developed by Health Quality Ontario.
The initiative will support up to 20 interdisciplinary teams from across Canada from November 2019 to September 2021. Deadline to apply August 21, 2019.
Primary Care Virtual Community update
Did you miss the last Primary Care Virtual Community session?
Materials from previous sessions are available through the Ontario College of Family Physicians Learning Management System. Please follow the prompts to create an account to view the materials.
There is no charge to create an account, and it’s open to all members of the Primary Care Virtual Community (i.e. not only family physicians). For additional information or assistance in logging in, please contact ocfpcme@ocfp.on.ca.
ONF has distributed thousands of hard-copy booklets of the Concussion Information for Patients and Families to teams across Ontario but is looking at being more efficient and strategical in the approach. They would like your assistance on how to best engage your team and patients and which resources and mechanisms could help achieve this goal. You can contact Judy Gargaro, ABI Director at 416-422-2228 x 216 or Judy.gargaro@onf.org.
Get rid of your fax machine: Ontario Privacy Commissioner annual report
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (OIPC) released its 2018 Annual Report, Privacy and Accountability for a Digital Ontario on July 10, 2019. Per this Bennett Jones LLP blog post, highlights relevant to primary care include:
Cyberattacks– there is a rise in the frequency of ransomware incidents, with Ontario municipalities and health care institutions being particular targets.
Fax Machines– 6,000 of the reported 11,000 health information privacy breaches in 2018 were the result of misdirected faxes. The OIPC recommends Ontario’s health care organizations “reduce or eliminate dependence on fax machines”.
AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!
Canadian Conference on Dementia, October 3- 5, 2019
The 10th annual conference will be held in Quebec City. Find out more here.
Charting the Future of Primary Care: Leadership, Teams, and Culture, September 11 – 12, 2019
Ivey Academy partnership program with the Harvard Medical School. Find out more here.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada: Clinical Trials – What you Need to Know, August 6, 2019
This webcast will provide blood cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals with an overview of clinical trials concepts and processes. Find out more here.
Reminder- call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization
Deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council is July 31
Ministry response on budget adjustments
CPSO consultations on draft policies due Aug 2
Upcoming events for NPs, RDs and more
OHT current state survey
Thanks to those of you who have reached out to let us know the current status of your OHT applications. Great to see the level of primary care leadership across the province as OHT implementation progresses!
We’re now asking EDs to complete this short survey to share some more detail on your team’s state and needed supports. We hope to hear from all teams, including those not part of this first round. It should only take 5-10 minutes of your time.
We’re working closely with the OMA and OCFP to map out primary care involvement and to ensure teams have access to supports that will help improve OHT development and eventual implementation.
Health Canada/PHAC funding on substance use
On July 17, 2019, the Government of Canada launched two new anticipatory Calls for Proposals. Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) will fund projects in three streams:
Harm reduction, community-led and front-line initiatives;
Increasing access to pharmaceutical grade medications as a safer alternative to the contaminated illegal drug supply; and
New approaches that address problematic methamphetamine use.
The application deadline is Thursday, September 26, 2019. More information, including detailed Guidelines for Applicants, can be found here: Substance Use and Addictions Program. If you have questions or you would like to request an application form, please contact hc.SUAP-PUDS.sc@canada.ca.
Separately, the Public Health Agency of Canada will fund projects that use evidence-based approaches to reduce barriers to care for people who use drugs. Letters of Intent must be submitted by August 30, 2019 and the deadline to request the application package is 11:59am ET, August 7, 2019.More information can be found here: Pathways to Care. If you have questions, please contact phac.cgc.solicitations-csc.aspc@canada.ca with the subject line: LOI Pathways to Care.
Hotel group rate deadline Aug. 19
With the AFHTO conference in September this year, the deadline to get the hotel group rate is Aug. 19. After that, rooms are released to the public, with no guarantees. Please book before the deadline to secure your spot.
Reminder- call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization
The Ministry of Health invites AFHTO members to submit applications for establishing a public-facing digital identity, authentication and authorization (IAA) service for patients in Ontario’s health system. Full details on the eligibility requirements, the submission and review process, and project requirements and deliverables can be found in the Call for Applications document.
Deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council is July 31
There are two vacancies on AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council and we’re inviting all AFHTO-member IHPs to apply. More information and the Terms of Reference are here. One vacancy is a regular two-year term and the other is a one-year term for a maternity leave.
Interested members are asked to complete this application by Wednesday, July 31. Any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon.
We’re in touch with the ministry on unanswered questions, and we’ll keep members posted as we receive more information.
CPSO consultations on draft policies due Aug 2
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is requesting feedback on draft policies, all due Aug. 2:
AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!
FHT RD Conference + RD Research Afternoon, October 17- 18, 2019
Education, networking and brainstorming opportunities to leave you feeling motivated about nutrition in primary care. Find out more here.
NPAO Conference: Stronger Together: Our Time is Now, September 12-13, 2019
Register for the NPAO Annual conference to network and engage with your NP colleagues. Learn more here.
BORN Conference, November 7-8, 2019
Held in Ottawa, the BORN conference connects the conversation between health-care providers, administrators, policy makers, researchers and students. Find out more here.
Highlights from AFHTO’s Meeting with the Primary Health Care Branch (PHCB)
This email was sent to EDs, Lead MDs/NPs and Board Chairs of AFHTO member organizations.
The AFHTO Board had an opportunity to meet with the PHCB on June 19. Below is a synopsis of the discussion.
1. Ontario Health Teams Implementation
Over 150 submissions were received in May from across Ontario. Timelines for the next round of applications will be announced in the coming weeks.
The ministry is currently reviewing self-assessments. All applicants will receive an update on the status of their applications in July 2019. Applicants identified to be in the best position to become an OHT will be asked to complete a full application. The first OHT candidates will be announced in Fall 2019.
The Primary Health Care Branch and the Negotiations Branch are involved in reviewing all applications to ensure the breadth of primary care is looked at, including the number of primary care providers involved, performance, governance and leadership, and rurality.
AFHTO will be developing a suite of tools to support teams in OHT development and will be working with our partners in primary care, acute care, and home care to ensure we can support patients throughout the health care continuum. Are there tools or resources you have identified as high priority that you wish you had? Please let Bryn Hamilton know at bryn.hamilton@afhto.ca.
2. Care Coordination
The transition of home and community care services to OHTs will enable home and community care services to be better integrated with a patient’s other care needs.
As OHTs are phased in, the ministry may also want to review interim options for the placement or employment of care coordination staff, including primary care settings. The ministry will need to consider labour relations; the capacity of primary care around the province to incorporate care coordination staff into their teams; the coverage of primary health care teams; and the future state of OHTs.
The ministry recognizes the importance of integration between home and community and primary care, including the ongoing work to better connect care coordinators in primary care settings through co-location. However, the work in this area is ongoing and a decision or approach has not yet been determined.
What is happening in your region with regards to care coordination and care coordinators? If there is movement in ‘embedding’ care coordinators in your teams or if there are tools being developed, please let us know at info@afhto.ca.
3. Interprofessional Primary Care Team Expansion
Beginning in 2017/18, $48.8M is being invested to support the creation/expansion of 58 interprofessional primary care teams. Timing of implementation is variable, but good progress is being made. All projects are on track to be implemented by Fall 2019.
Space challenges are creating longer implementation timelines for some groups.
There is some deviation from the original plans, as anticipated. It will be important for teams to update the service plan if plans deviate from what was originally proposed.
AFHTO would like to hear from you! How are your IPCT plans progressing? Are there are any tools or resources that you need to meet your timelines? Please let Beth MacKinnon know about your expansion plans at beth.mackinnon@afhto.ca. AFHTO can look at supports where needed and can highlight success stories in our advocacy work.
4. Annual Operating Plan
With all the changes happening in health care transformation, the AOP for this year has been delayed, but it can be expected soon.
As in previous years, the 2019-2020 Annual Operating Plan Submission Package continues to focus on integrated service delivery through partnerships and collaboration, increasing patient access, and quality improvement.
This year there will also be a focus on mental health and addictions, including questions on the provision of mental health services as the government rolls out its provincial psychotherapy clinical training program, which will be made available to providers in the coming months. More information on that will be shared once details are available.
5. Budget Adjustments
Adjustments were made to 106 family health teams and all NPLCs based on a 3-year line-by-line budget analysis with teams that have chronically underspent (i.e., teams that have sent back money to the ministry each year).
Thank you to everyone that let us know how these adjustments are going to impact your teams and if there would be impact to frontline delivery of care. A letter articulating your concerns has been sent to the ministry, and we are awaiting a response.
For those teams who do believe the calculations are incorrect or are going to have a hard time managing within their new allocation, please contact your senior program consultant.
With your R&R attestation report back to the ministry, please note if your R&R funding will be underspent due to vacancies, individuals not yet at the top of their salary grid, etc. This will ensure the ministry is aware that those funds are earmarked for future use.
We have heard that despite the budget adjustments there are some teams that may be underspent again this year (i.e., Q1 HR vacancies). The ministry is supportive of those funds being reallocated to AFHTO this fiscal year to help support the G&L Program, specifically as it relates to the development of tools and resources for OHTs. Want to be a project sponsor? Please contact Bryn Hamilton at bryn.hamilton@afhto.ca to learn more.
The Windsor Family Health Team expanded their service delivery through a Team Care Centre (TCC) model, in partnership with the City Centre Community Health Centre. This model serves the rostered patients of 100–125 solo primary care practitioners in the Windsor area, or approximately 200,000 people.
The TCC model provides solo primary care providers with an interdisciplinary team-based, patient–centred approach in mental health diagnosis, and treatment plans for individuals with mental health/addictions and complex care needs. It also increases access to wrap–around services and programs to meet the health care needs of the community.
The success of this model is seen through 100 community physicians providing over 1,000 referrals since September 2018. Patient outcomes have improved, patient satisfaction rates have increased and unnecessary visits to health care providers have reduced. Moreover, mental health patients have experienced enhanced quality of life, and benefitted from improved care coordination and navigation.
Second interim report from the Premier’s Council released today
Reminder- primary care virtual community, June 26
AFHTO Board of Directors nominations deadline this Friday, June 28
Bright Lights nomination deadline this Friday, June 28
Mental health and addiction QI collaborative slides and video
A prescription for Canada: achieving pharmacare for all
Amy Coupal announced as new CEO at the Ontario Caregiver Organization
CEP tools and resources survey
Seeking input: draft quality standard for unhealthy alcohol use and alcohol use disorder
Upcoming events including ECHO Liver and more
Premier shuffles cabinet
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. Added to Cabinet is an Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and a new Ministry of Long-Term Care.
This report contains ten policy recommendations intended to help the government improve the health care system. AFHTO is pleased to see that one recommendation is to ensure primary care is the foundation of an integrated health care system.
Reminder- primary care virtual community, June 26
This is the second webinar held by AFHTO, OCFP and The Change Foundation. Join us for an interactive engagement with Dr. Robert Varnam, GP and Head of General Practice Development at NHS England, as he shares learnings on the 10 High Impact Actions.
This sets the stage for us, as a virtual community to discuss, reflect and share the possibilities of what our own High Impact Actions in Ontario could be. Learn more here.
AFHTO Board of Directors nominations deadline this Friday, June 28
Help guide your association by serving on the AFHTO board of directors. The Governance Committee of AFHTO’s board invites anyone who works within an AFHTO member organization to apply. To apply:
Click here to read AFHTO’s Nominations and Elections policy.
Click here for information on the role and requirements of AFHTO board members.
Bright Lights nomination deadline this Friday, June 28
<em>2018 Bright Lights winners at the awards ceremony</em>
Are you proud of what your team has accomplished?
Do you want your colleagues to be recognized for the amazing work they do?
Do you think it would be great to see your initiative spread across the province?
Send in your nominations and supporting documents before the deadline, Friday, June 28. Four categories have education grants to help you strengthen your team’s development.
Small, rural and Northern teams are encouraged to apply.
Mental health and addiction QI collaborative slides and video
On June 13 over 200 attendees joined CMHA, AMHO, and AFHTO for the first in a 4-part webinar series on community and primary care QI projects and initiatives with a focus on mental health and addiction. See the video and get the slides.
A prescription for Canada: achieving pharmacare for all
A new report released by Health Canada, the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare has recommended an expansive pharmacare regime that would replace existing public and private insurance plans with a single national framework. To learn more about their recommendations, please click here.
Amy Coupal announced as new CEO at the Ontario Caregiver Organization
Amy Coupal has been announced as Chief Executive Officer at the Ontario Caregiver Organization. The Ontario Caregiver Organization was created in the Spring of 2018 as an independent corporation that functions arms-length from government. Their goal is to ease the stress and burden that caregivers experience when caring for a loved one. Visit their site to learn more about OCO and about the new CEO, Amy Coupal.
CEP tools and resources survey
The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) is seeking feedback from family physicians and primary care nurse practitioners about their tools and resources through a survey.
This 8-minute survey will be open until July 2, 2019. Those who complete the survey will be eligible to enter a draw for a chance to win one of five Indigo gift cards.
The feedback will help them better understand which clinical tools and resources providers are aware of, and how they may have been used in clinical practice. Responses will help inform the Knowledge Translation in Primary Care Initiative.
Seeking input: draft quality standard for unhealthy alcohol use and alcohol use disorder
Health Quality Ontario is developing a new quality standard to address unhealthy alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.
Share your thoughts on this draft quality standard and its accompanying patient guide by June 27, 2019.
The Power of Partnership: Reducing Hallway Health Care, Enhancing The Patient Experience, June 26, 2019
This webinar focuses on how partnerships helped create better health outcomes during the growing demands around hospital services. Held by HQO, SE Health and Trillium Health Partners. Learn more here.
Considerations for Primary Care Teams as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, July 17, 2019
Join AFHTO & Grant Thornton LLP for their second webinar in the Financial Webinar Series. Register here.
ECHO Liver: Liver Disease in Primary Care: Approach To Hepatitis C, July 11, 2019
Join the ECHO Liver evening series as they hold a lecture based on real team and patient cases on Hepatitis C. Learn more here.
AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!
LeaderShift Conference Detailed Program Now Available
We are now only three weeks away from the LeaderShift Conference on Thursday, July 11th, held at the BMO Institute for Learning. There are still limited spots available for this enriching one-day, learning event, where you’ll have the chance to:
Connect with leaders across our sector to ignite collaboration and build a more connected, integrated health care system.
Collaborate with your peers, discover new tools and build your confidence leading during times of change and uncertainty.
Transform the health care system by cultivating new partnerships, building effective coalitions and preparing for the future.
Click here to see the detailed conference program and to register today!
