Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: legislation

  • Bits & Pieces: Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar and more

    Bits & Pieces: Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar May 19
    • ONCA webinar materials available
    • Financial management training series materials available
    • Reminder – deadline to join #AFHTO22 working group today
    • Seeking input on the structure of social work practice in primary care
    • Memo regarding tools for identifying high-risk patients eligible for Paxlovid and more

     
    • Interview on the diagnosis and management of concussion in adolescents
    • Survey for a national framework for diabetes in Canada
    • FAQ: MOH “Axe the Fax” survey. Deadline May 4
    • PHO Primary Care IPAC Community of Practice
    • Upcoming events including antibiotic prescribing and your CPSO QI Requirements and more

     

    Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar May 19

    Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health and University Health Network (UHN) and Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) will be presenting on Practical Technologies that can Enable Ageing in Place on May 19, from 9:00 – 10:00am EDT.

    Presented by Sinai Health, in partnership with the NIA, UHN, and the Primary Care Collaborative, the webinar will aim to give health care professionals a better understanding of:

    • The risks and impacts of at-home medical emergencies
    • Why older Canadians want to age in place, now more than ever
    • Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place

    Register here.

    Title slide screenshot

     

    ONCA webinar materials available

    Kathy O’Brien and Simmie Palter from INQ Law reviewed the new tools and Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)’s impact on FHTs on Tuesday, April 26. Slides and video are now available on our site.

     

     

    Screenshot of slide titled 'what is the problem we're trying to solve?'

     

    Financial management training series materials available

    Hosted by AFHTO, a two-part series on financial reporting and forecasting was held with Dr. Silvie MacLean, Executive Strategic Performance and Finance Educational Leader. Materials are now available.

     

    Reminder – deadline to join #AFHTO22 working group today
     

    The deadline to join a working group and/or Bright Lights review committee is today. Come behind the scenes of our first hybrid conference and be the first to learn about new developments in the field, influence conference programming and discover the latest innovators in areas directly relevant to your work. Working group members also receive a discount off their registration fee.

    Seeking input on the structure of social work practice in primary care

    Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft, an Assistant Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, is the lead investigator for this research study titled The Structure of Social Work Practice in Ontario Family Health Teams: A Mixed-Methods Study. It involves a provincial-wide survey and semi-structured focus groups with discussions focused on examining the daily practice of social workers in FHTs during the pandemic. Participants will be social workers working in primary care teams located across Ontario.

    Participants will be asked to complete a survey asking about the role of social work, the current and optimal state of practice, and social work leadership. At the end, participants can express their interest in taking part of a focus group. Each focus group will last 60 minutes and consist of social workers working in various team-based, primary care settings. Should you have any questions, please contact Rachelle Ashcroft at rachelle.ashcroft@utoronto.ca.

    Memo regarding tools for identifying high-risk patients eligible for Paxlovid and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Interview on the diagnosis and management of concussion in adolescents

    Graduate students are researching the perspectives of community-based primary care providers in Toronto on the diagnosis and management of concussion in adolescents. They’re interested in connecting with a few family physicians, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners working in Toronto for a half-hour interview to participate in their capstone project.

    If you’re interested in participating or have any questions, please send them an email at concussion.trp@utoronto.ca. Deadline June 3.

    Survey for a national framework for diabetes in Canada

    The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is undertaking a virtual engagement process to support Bill C-237 – An Act to Establish a National Framework for Diabetes, which received Royal Assent in June 2021.

    As part of this process, they invite you to provide your input via an online survey platform- EN and FR. Deadline May 9.

    FAQ: MOH “Axe the Fax” survey. Deadline May 4
    The Ministry of Health has initiated an analysis of the current state and drivers of fax use to identify potential options for phasing out fax use in Ontario’s health system. As part of their first phase, there is an assessment survey with a purpose to obtain input from a variety of stakeholders about their use of traditional paper-based fax and electronic fax. Only one survey needs to be submitted from each organization. For more information, an FAQ and the survey link, click here.

    PHO Primary Care IPAC Community of Practice

    Public Health Ontario is hosting a community of practice series that will review key concepts and support resources for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) in Primary Care settings. Intended for those who oversee or implement IPAC in Primary Care settings, the series will be held over four sessions starting late May. Find your regions and more here.

    • Register here for the West Primary Care Series.
    • Register here for the Central West Primary Care Series.
    • Register here for the Central Primary Care Series.
    • Register here for the East Primary Care Series.
    • Register here for the North Primary Care Series.

    Choosing Wisely in Primary Care Series: Antibiotic Prescribing and your CPSO QI Requirements, May 4, 2022
    First in OCFP series “Choosing Wisely in Primary Care” on Wednesday, May 4, at 8:00-9:00am. Register here.

    Mental Health Week, May 2-8, 2022
    This year’s CMHA Mental Health Week is all about empathy! You can download the toolkit here

    New Horizons: Navigating towards the future of family medicine, starting May 6, 2022
    Speaker series hosted by Dr. Danielle Martin, Chair of the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine. The first session is a conversation with epidemiologist Dr. Sandro Galea. Find out more here.

    3rd Annual McMaster University Review Course in Psychiatry, May 26-27, 2022
    Virtual CPD Conference. Find out more here.

    Feeding Children – Success is in the Details, starting May 18, 2022
    Hosted by Nutrition Connection at the Ontario Public Health Association and Ellyn Satter Institute. Find out more here.

    Action Now! Building Equitable Futures Together, June 8-9, 2022
    Alliance for Healthier Communities conference. Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: member news, Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act update & more

    Bits & Pieces: member news, Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act update & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member news
    • Reminder – we need your feedback for the 2020 conference
    • Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act update
    • Ministry of Health and related news
    • Rainbow Health Ontario 2020 early bird ends Friday, Jan. 17
    • Upcoming events on Mental Health and Addiction QI and more

    Member news

    Couchiching FHT- A new decade and a new model of health care for Orillia area – per Dr. Kim McIntosh, “In 2020, the local team will focus on frail seniors before the program is expanded to include palliative patients in the second year.

    “I’m really hoping and anticipating mental health and addictions being our third-year population.”

    What is happening with the OHT in your community? Let us know!

    Zayna Khayat, AFHTO 2019 opening plenary speaker

     

    Reminder- we need your feedback for the 2020 conference

    The conference on Oct. 8-9, 2020 will be undergoing a major revamp, and now we’d like you to weigh in. What should the conference look like? How can we make sure it stays relevant to your needs? Tell us everything! The survey should take less than 5 minutes. Deadline Jan. 20, 2020.

     

     

    Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act update
    Per the Ontario Nonprofit Network, there is continued delay for the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA), which means there will be no proclamation in early 2020:
    “The Ontario government gave notice in 2018 that the proclamation … would occur “early 2020”. However, on December 31, 2019, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services informed us and updated their website that ONCA will not be proclaimed in early 2020. No specific date or timeline was given.” Read more here.

    Ministry of Health and related news
    Phasing out red and white OHIP cards – Government to phase out red and white OHIP cards

    Connected Care Update – recruitment has begun for the next Patient Ombudsman as well as for members for the Minister’s Patient and Family Advisory Council.

    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services memo – health care provider billing for completion of ODSP application forms and introduction of the online medical invoice form

    Chief Medical Officer of Health Memo– update on the Novel Coronavirus in China

    Rainbow Health Ontario 2020

    Rainbow Health Ontario 2020 early bird ends Friday, Jan. 17

    The Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) 2020 Canada’s forum for LGBT2SQ health is happening April 21-23 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. They’re expecting over 400 attendees and are delighted to present keynotes from Dr. James Makokis and author Zena Sharman, as well as 85 sessions featuring over 200 presenters.  

    More information is available on the conference website. Note that their early bird rate at a 15% discount is in effect until Friday, Jan. 17.

     

    Preparing for Audits, Jan. 15, 2020
    Register early for AFHTO’s upcoming Financial Webinar Series session. Learn how to prepare for audit season. Register now!

    Mental Health and Addiction QI Collaborative Webinar Series – Part 2, Jan. 14, 2020
    Join CMHA, AMHO, and AFHTO for a second of a 4-part webinar series on community and primary care QI projects and initiatives with a focus on mental health and addictions. Register now!

    Your Patients Are Using Cannabis: Here’s What You Need To Know Conference, Feb 28, 2020
    NPAO’s conference held for primary care providers will help you gain a better understanding of medicinal cannabis. Learn more here.

    Pain Management Program Neuropathic Pain Seminar, Feb 8, 2020
    Join St. Joseph’s Hospital in London for an all-day seminar to cover all things having to do with neuropathic pain. Learn more here.

    Together We Care Conference (OTLCA & ORCA), March 30 to April 1, 2020
    Together We Care 2020 is Canada’s largest gathering of long-term care and retirement home professionals, held in Toronto. Learn more here.

  • Update on Ongoing Health System Restructuring

    This email was sent to the leadership triad

    ***Update on Ongoing Health System Restructuring***
     
    Dear members,

    There has been lots happening locally and provincially with system restructuring, including the first steps in the formation of Ontario Health Teams – with the first ones expected to be announced by the end of this month.

    We’d like to provide an update on several significant milestones that have happened in recent weeks.

    Bill 124
    Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019, received royal assent on November 7. Its purpose is “to ensure that increases in public sector compensation reflect the fiscal situation of the province.” This Act puts a restriction on salary increases of no more than 1% for each 12-month period, with some exceptions.
     
    AFHTO continues to work with the ministry to understand if this may impact future recruitment and retention funding. However, the funding for 18/19, 19/20 and 20/21 was approved in a multi 3-year agreement which is within base funding. At the moment, there are no plans to counter that and signals point to commitment to the R&R funding until the end of the three years. If you have any questions, call your ministry program consultant, and we will keep you updated as we learn more about the new bill and its implementation.
     
    Bill 138
    On November 6, Finance Minister Rod Phillips introduced his first Fall Economic Statement: Plan to Build Ontario Together Act, 2019 (Bill 138).

    Of particular note for health care, Bill 138 includes Schedule 15, which includes changes to the Health Insurance Act, and Schedule 30, which speaks to the modernization of the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) to enable more connected care.
     
    Bill 138 also includes the introduction of the Supply Chain Management Act (Government, Broader Public Sector and Health Sector Entities), which is intended to help build an integrated, patient-focused supply chain to support a more connected health system.
     
    A fact sheet and joint deputy minister memo on the Supply Chain Management Act, as well as a memo from H&K Strategies on the Fall Economic Statement, can be seen on our website.
     
    Transfer Notices Issued
    On November 13, transfer notices were issued to the agencies that are integrating to Ontario Health by December 2: Cancer Care Ontario, Health Quality Ontario, eHealth Ontario, Health Shared Services Ontario, and HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency. The 14 LHINs will follow shortly, but for now have been reorganized into five interim and transitional regions with the five interim leads being:

    • Bruce Lauckner who will become the Transitional Regional Lead in western Ontario (and managing Erie St. Clair, Hamilton Haldimand Norfolk Brant, South West and Waterloo Wellington).
    • Renato Discenza who will become the Transitional Regional Lead in eastern Ontario (and managing Champlain, South East and Central East LHINs).
    • Scott McLeod who will become the Transitional Regional Lead in central Ontario (and managing Central, Central West, Mississauga Halton and North Simcoe Muskoka).
    • Tess Romain who will become the Transitional Regional Lead in Toronto (and managing Toronto Central).
    • Rhonda Crocker Ellacott who will become the Transitional Regional Lead in northern Ontario (and managing North East and North West).

    To see the full memo from Interim CEO, Susan Fitpatrick, on the transfer notices, please click here. Ontario Health now also has a website, so visit www.ontariohealth.ca to learn more.
     
    Digital First for Health Strategy
    Yesterday the ministry announced its Digital First for Health Strategy, which includes $3 million in new funding to compensate physicians for 55,000 more video visits provided directly to patients in their location of choice over the next year.
     
    Once this strategy is fully implemented, patients will be able to expect more virtual care options, expanded access to online appointment booking, greater data access for patients, connected tools for frontline providers, and data integration and predictive analytics. As more details emerge, we will be updating our members.
     
    Update on OHTs
    We look forward to the announcement of the first OHTs later this month, and to learning the teams that will be part of the next round of submissions, which are due on December 4.

    Please continue to keep AFHTO up-to-date on your progress, let us know how we can help you, and continue to check out the updates and support tools on our website.
     
    Please also continue to keep your colleagues up-to-date on the ongoing changes, and, if they have not already, encourage they sign up for our weekly e-newsletter by emailing info@afhto.ca and sign up to receive the Connected Care Updates from the ministry.
     
    Yours sincerely,

    Kavita Mehta
    CEO, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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