Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: key issue

  • Strategic direction for AFHTO is renewed

    The AFHTO board is pleased to announce the renewed vision, mission and strategic priorities to guide our work on behalf of our members over the next 2 – 3 years. Please click here for more information. AFHTO members may also click here to learn more about how this Strategic Direction will be operationalized in the next year.

  • FHTs continue to play key role in Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care

    One year after releasing Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care, Health Minister Deb Matthews presented her progress report today.  She called it a plan for “fundamental transformation” that puts “family health care at the centre of the system.”

    Government’s news release and the Action Plan for Health Care One Year Progress Report both continue to highlight as a key achievement –  “200 Family Health Teams in operation serving nearly 3 million Ontarians and growing.” (FYI – This represents close to 22% of Ontarians, up from 20% 18 months ago.)

    The Minister’s speech emphasized the important partnership the new Physician Services agreement has created, since it has made “a commitment to continuous quality improvement for patients.”  She also re-iterated the goal announced in last week’s release of the Seniors’ Strategy that every senior be attached to a primary care provider, and the expansion of house calls. The creation of Health Links and hospital funding reform were the other two topics she highlighted in her speech. (FYI – Seven of the 19 early adopter Health Links are being coordinated by FHTs.)

    The Minister continues to be full of praise and gratitude to the people working in Ontario’s health system and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. With the Liberal leadership convention to be held in 10 days, she made the point of stating, “I do know each of the six candidates is committed to the Action Plan. … Government will continue to forge ahead with it.”

  • Family Health Teams play a prominent role in Ontario’s Health Links

    The first 19 Health Links were announced today by Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews. Health Links bring together health care providers in a community to better and more quickly coordinate care for high-need patients. Seven of the 19 Health Links announced today will be coordinated by family health teams:

    This is a natural progression in the evolution of FHTs.  FHTs were created to join family doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dietitians, nurses, social workers and others to strengthen primary care – the first level of care over a person’s lifetime. Health Links promise to extend the care team – they will strengthen links between primary care providers and specialists, hospitals, and other community support agencies, to give high needs patients the wrap-around care they need. Health Links start by looking at the people who have complex care needs, and build on primary care as the foundation for a person’s health care. In choosing the Taddle Creek Family Health Team as the site for her announcement, the Minister underlined the central role that primary care plays for patients, and for the health system.  In addition to the seven Health Links to be coordinated by FHTs, four will be coordinated by community health centres, one by a family health organization and one by a community service agency. The remaining six will be coordinated by a mix of hospitals and community care access centres.  Click here for the list of the first 19 Health Links. Many details about Health Links are being worked through. AFHTO expects there will be additional information forthcoming from the Ministry in the weeks and months ahead.  The following paragraphs summarize what AFHTO has learned to date from Ministry sources. Health Links are designed around, and will be accountable for, system-level metrics established by the province. Click here to see DRAFT areas to be measured. We understand the Ministry will set up an advisory table to define the indicators. The next phase for these early adopters is to prepare a business plan over the next 3 months. A guidance document is to go out early next week. The early focus is on relationship building among providers. The Ministry will encourage more applications for Health Links beginning in January. The Minister stated, “I envision that every doctor will be involved in a Health Link.”  They anticipate seeing about 75 across the province – to be rolled out as communities are ready. Health Links are accountable to their LHIN for progress in the outcome measures.  Health Links include providers who are accountable to their LHIN, and others who are accountable to the Ministry (such as FHTs). The coordinating body for each Health Link commits to plan to improve indicators, and each member is to include their role in achieving these improvements in their respective business plans.  Providers who do not have direct accountability to the LHIN will have a joint Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry and the LHIN. LHIN Primary Care Councils will continue as well.  Both are important – PCCs focus on coordination and planning of primary care, and Health Links focus on coordination and planning of multiple types of care for high-needs patients. Health Links will be supported by Health Quality Ontario’s bestPATH initiative – quality improvement tools, a framework to collect and report on outcomes, and other supports that will help them deliver more integrated care. As Health Links identify issues that get in the way of delivering more seamless care, the Ministry has committed to work with them to lower these policy barriers. Throughout this journey, AFHTO’s role is to:

    • Facilitate idea and information exchange among members;
    • Work with FHTs to identify the support they need to succeed as coordinators and members of Health Links and, where needed, to advocate for that support.

    Click here for the Ministry’s press release and backgrounders, including the list of the first 19 Health Links. Click here for a Ministry presentation to key stakeholders, prior to the public announcement. Click here for presentations that describe the population of high users that is the focus of the Health Links initiative.

  • CMOH releases “Seasonal Influenza 2012-2013: Ontario’s Blueprint for Action”

    Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced the release of Seasonal Influenza 2012/ 2013: Ontario’s Blueprint for Action. This document updates the 2011/ 2012 Blueprint for Action by outlining the actions that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Labour are taking to support the health system’s response to this year’s influenza season. Every year, influenza impacts the province of Ontario. This includes impacts on our health and the capacity of our health system. Because influenza reoccurs each year, the health system has an annual opportunity to reflect on its response to the virus and to integrate lessons learned and new approaches into our actions. Many of the lessons learned from past influenza seasons – and from the 2009 influenza pandemic – are reflected in this document. The ministry is also in the process of updating the Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP) to reflect best practices from the 2009 pandemic. After the release of the revised OHPIP in late fall 2012, the ministry with its partners will integrate strategies from the Seasonal Influenza Blueprint with the OHPIP to develop the Ontario Influenza Response Plan. This integrated and comprehensive response plan will include stratified, scalable response strategies that will inform the actions of the health system to all types of influenza events – including both seasonal and pandemic outbreaks. Memorandum:

  • Applications now being accepted for Wave 6 of HQO’s Advanced Access and Efficiency for Primary Care

    AFHTO is pleased to share the launch of Health Quality Ontario’s (HQO) Learning Community Wave 6 in Advanced Access, Efficiency and Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care as a valuable learning opportunity for family health teams.  Advanced Access, Efficiency and Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care has been designed to assist providers in reaching this goal by offering Independent and Coach-Supported Learning programs. Applications for Coach-Supported Learning covering Advanced Access, Efficiency and Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care are being accepted at www.hqolc.ca/wave6 until March 1, 2013. There are 100 available spots and spaces may fill with approved applicants prior to the deadline. Acceptance into the Wave is contingent on an applicant successfully completing a readiness assessment interview.  The 9-month initiative begins on March 20, 2013 and ends on December 20, 2013. Providers can join the Independent Learning at any time by visiting www.hqolc.ca. Note that the Independent Learning approach only covers Advanced Access and Efficiency. Please review the information package for a full description of the initiative, including how to join or apply and what participation entails. Please the letter of support from a family physician and a patient story for how others have already benefited from their experience. If you have any additional questions, you may also visit the Advanced Access, Efficiency and Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care in Primary Care website at http://hqolc.ca/wave6 , email learningcommunityinfo@hqontario.ca or call 1-866-623-6868 extension 281. To learn more about advanced access and efficiency, visit the CME accredited Primer e-module at advancedaccess.machealth.ca. Health Quality Ontario (HQO) is a partner and leader in transforming Ontario’s healthcare system so that it can deliver a better experience of care and better outcomes for Ontarians and better value for money. HQO was formed through the consolidation of some of the top healthcare quality improvement organizations in the province. HQO’s legislated mandate under the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010 is to evaluate the effectiveness of new healthcare technologies and services, report to the public on the quality of the healthcare system, support quality improvement activities and make evidence-based recommendations on healthcare funding. Visit www.hqontario.ca for more information.

  • AFHTO 2012 Conference: Increase corporate visibility as a sponsor or exhibitor

    On October 16-17, 2012, over 500 executive directors, board members, physicians, staff, stakeholder associations and government representatives will attend the AFHTO 2012 Conference.

    AFHTO invites Family Health Team partners and stakeholders to consider the sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities at the upcoming conference.

    See the 2012 Sponsorship and Exhibitor Prospectus for opportunity details and all relevant conference information.

    Sponsorship allows you to:

    • Reach the decision makers within Family Health Teams.
    • Obtain valuable exposure with current and potential clients.
    • Deepen your insight into the needs and requirements of Family Health Teams in order to better serve them.
    • Demonstrate your support for Family Health Teams in delivering value and quality care to patients.

    AFHTO 2012 Conference Details The conference has been extended to a full 2 days; sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities will be available throughout. The conference program is built around 12 core themes that “Demonstrate and Celebrate the Value of Family Health Teams”. Please contact Sal Abdolzahraei by e-mail (info@afhto.ca) or by phone (647-234-8605) if you have any questions or for further information.

     

  • Aug.15 is deadline to apply to MOHLTC for financial support for PA positions

    MOHLTC has e-mailed the invitation below to FHTs.  Please follow up with your Ministry rep to get the full package, if you did not receive it.

    SENT: July 24, 2012 4:57 PM

    SUBJECT: FHT – Employment supports for physician assistant graduates 2012

    Dear Family Health Team,

    The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has announced that applications for employment supports for Ontario’s 2012 Physician Assistant (PA) graduates are now available. Please see the attached documents for further information.

    Opportunities for 2012 Ontario PA graduates will be supported in high priority settings where the focus will be on meeting the goals of the ministry’s Action Plan for Health Care. Consideration will be given to employers who are able to demonstrate how the integration of a PA in their setting will support the priorities of the Action Plan (e.g. chronic disease management and prevention, seniors care, increased access to health services, etc).

    In order to receive financial supports, eligible FHTs must confirm full-time employment of a 2012 PA graduate by October 31, 2012. Graduates from McMaster University must begin work by November 15, 2012, and graduates from the Consortium Program (The University of Toronto/The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences/The Northern Ontario School of Medicine) must begin by January 31, 2012.

    Please note that applications are due by 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15TH, 2012

    Should your Family Health Team wish to submit an application please email a completed FHT application and job posting to FHTINQUIRIES.MOH@ONTARIO.CA.

    To assist with receipt of applications submitted to the ministry, please include – 2012 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT FHT APPLICATION – in the Subject line.

  • “Bright Lights” award nominations: opportunity for grant to attend IHI Conference

    The first ever “Bright Lights” awards will be presented at the AFHTO 2012 Conference Awards Dinner, on October 16.  This award program recognizes the leadership, outstanding work and significant progress being made to improve the value delivered by Family Health Teams. There are 11 award categories corresponding to the themes of the AFHTO 2012 Conference. In one of the award categories – Best Practices in Health Promotion and Chronic Care – four winners will be supported to attend the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Conference on April 7-9, 2013, in Scottsdale, Arizona. With this award sponsorship now in place, nominations for all of the award categories are being re-opened.  Application deadline is Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Awards for Best Practices in Health Promotion and Chronic Care

    • Boehringer Ingelheim is sponsoring a grant of $3000 for each of four FHTs ($12,000 in total) that demonstrate strong performance in Health Promotion and Chronic Care programs.  Examples include programs targeted to healthy living, weight control, hypertension/cardiovascular disease, lung health/respiratory disease, diabetes, chronic pain, etc.
    • The $3,000 grant is to be used by the FHT to send one team member to the 14th Annual International Summit on Improving Patient Care in the Office Practice & the Community, hosted by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
    • Award recipients are asked to share their learning from the IHI Conference within their Family Health Team and/or with others as appropriate.
    • To be considered for an award in the Best Practices in Health Promotion and Chronic Care category, the FHT must be an AFHTO member and the nomination form must be completed for this category, on line, in full. Click here to access the Health Promotion and Chronic Care nomination form. (Supporting data may be e-mailed separately to info@afhto.ca ).
    • Award recipients will be selected by an independent panel consisting of four AFHTO board members at arm’s length from the nominees.
    • The award sponsor will present the four awards at the AFHTO Conference Dinner.  The sponsor has no other involvement in the program – it has no role in establishment of award criteria, call for nominations, judging nor selection of the program winners.

    Awards for all other categories

    • To nominate an individual or FHT for recognition as a “Bright Light”, please complete the generic award nomination form, on line, in full.  Click here to access the generic nomination form.
    • Award recipients will be selected by an independent panel consisting of four AFHTO board members at arm’s length from the nominees.
    • Recipients will receive an award that can be proudly displayed in FHT waiting rooms or offices.
    • Recognition will also include a write-up on the AFHTO website and e-mail blast.

    Click here to print this notice and post it in your FHT.

  • AFHTO 2012 Conference: 1 week left to submit presentation abstracts and award nominations

    May 25th is the deadline to submit presentation abstracts and award nominations for the AFHTO 2012 conference – Demonstrating and Celebrating the Value of Family Health Teams. We encourage you take this opportunity to share all of the great work you are doing in and for FHTs before the deadline. Please review the submission requirements carefully! We have received a few submissions without contact information, which means we won’t be able follow up with you. If this might apply to you, please click on the link above to complete your submission or send the name of your presentation and contact information to info@aftho.ca. You can also:

    Contributing to the AFHTO conference in any of these ways gives you the opportunity to showcase the value of FHTs and promote the conditions to build on that value. It also gives you the personal opportunity to use your leadership skills, learn more from your peers, strengthen your personal network across FHTs, and receive greater recognition across the FHT community. Key dates:

    • Deadline for presentation abstracts: May 25, 2012
    • Deadline for Bright Light nominations: May 25, 2012
    • Notification of acceptance for presentation: June 13, 2012
    • Conference registration opens: late June
    • Conference takes place (Toronto Hilton): Oct. 16-17, 2012
    • Bright Lights awarded: Oct. 16, 2012

  • Updates on OMA-MOHLTC negotiations

    Both parties involved in the negotiations have posted the following public statements:

    AFHTO will continue to post updates here as they are publicly released.