Today the PC government released their first Ontario Budget entitled “Protecting What Matters Most”. In this budget, the government spoke about a foundation of four clear priorities:
First – Restoring accountability and trust by introducing a credible, sustainable and fully costed plan that will return the province to fiscal balance in five years.
Second – Protecting what matters most by adopting bold new ways to deliver services in areas of health care and education, while supporting our front-line workers.
Third – Putting people first by making life more affordable and convenient with a new Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) tax credit, a plan to make auto insurance more accessible and affordable, an expanded rapid transit system, and a reduced Estate Administration Tax.
Fourth – Making Ontario Open for Business and Open for Jobs by lowering business costs, and making it easier for employers to hire workers and for workers to find a job.
The focus on health included mainly investments in hospitals, long-term care, home and community care and mental health and addictions. There was also a focus on reducing inefficiencies by streamlining back-office functions and the mention of the implementation of a digital first strategy which will increase the use of virtual care in the province.
There was no mention of any further investments in primary care nor was there any mention of the already committed recruitment and retention funding made in last year’s budget so we will work with our Ministry colleagues to get further information on that.
Introducing the Quality Improvement in Primary Care (QI in PC) Council and the IHP Advisory Council, and their vision for improvement
AFHTO 2019 Conference call for abstracts
Refreshed eBulletin
The D2D eBulletin will be undergoing changes and refocusing to highlight efforts of teams in the field. As quality continues to remain a priority in AFHTO’s mandate, the eBulletin will act as a resource to share and spread innovations, tools and stories from primary care teams across the province. Each eBulletin will focus on a specific topic and help guide your team on how to improve in these areas of quality in concrete ways.
If you would like to share a tool, resource or highlight a successful program or service in your team, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at improve@afhto.ca.
Moving Forward with AFHTO’s Quality Agenda
Although we’re looking to sunset the work of D2D given the current environment and uncertainty around funding, AFHTO will continue its efforts to support teams in the field of quality and demonstrate the value of team-based primary care. AFHTO’s priorities have shifted from measurement to driving improvement across the sector. AFHTO’s Quality Steering Committee (QSC) will work closely with the QI in PC Council, the IHP Advisory Council, AFHTO members, and partners to set priorities for improvement in areas of transitions, access, integration, mental health and addictions, and patient engagement.
Quality Improvement in Primary Care Council
In January of 2019, the Quality Improvement in Primary Care (QI in PC) Council was formed. The QI in PC council consists of 5 appointed QIDSS and QIDSS-like individuals with the goal to support the QIDSS Community of Practice (CoP) and strengthen collective QI capacity across the sector. The QI in PC Council surveyed members of the QIDSS CoP to determine where to focus their efforts and supports for teams in the field. The priority areas are listed below.
Priority tasks:
Provide a voice in Ontario’s primary care data collection and QI priorities
Strengthen existing communication formats in the QIDSS CoP
Make it easy to share EMR queries
Share HQO’s QIP to members and develop a collective QI project
The Interprofessional Health Care Providers (IHP) Advisory Council fosters leadership across the IHP community within FHTs and NPLCs; provides input on FHT and NPLC matters related to IHP issues; and gives advice and input to the AFHTO board, staff, and other leadership councils.
The council provides a mechanism to advance best-practice knowledge transfer and exchange, to enhance collaboration, and to give IHPs the opportunity to communicate operational, governance, and other FHT- or NPLC-related items. The council’s vision includes acting as a resource to teams, providing advocacy on behalf of IHPs, and demonstrating the value of interprofessional primary care teams. Click here to view details of the IHP Advisory Council’s vision.
For more information about the IHP Advisory Council including the terms of reference and contact list, click here.
AFHTO 2019 Conference Call for Abstracts
Share your team’s ideas by submitting an abstract to present a concurrent session or poster at the AFHTO 2019 Conference on September 19 & 20, 2019. Find out more here. Deadline is April 24, 2019.
AFHTO submission on Bill 74: The People’s Health Care Act
Financial webinar series starting Apr. 17
Primary Care Virtual Community meeting Apr 25
OHIP+ update
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario seeking regional champions
Going beyond imitation: how do your benefit programs & compensation compare?
Upcoming events regarding chronic pain and more
Call for Ontario Health Teams
The government sent out the guidance document and additional materials for Ontario Health Teams on April 3.
While it’s not mandatory that FHTs or NPLCs be part of OHTs, we encourage teams be working with local providers and, most importantly, with one another to discuss collaboration. The long-term goal is for all Ontarians to receive their care through an OHT.
The deadline for the first readiness assessment is May 15, but the Ministry will continue to accept, assess and evaluate groups interested in becoming an Ontario Health Team on an ongoing basis. Read more on our site.
AFHTO submission on Bill 74: The People’s Health Care Act
AFHTO’s President and Chair Beth Cowper-Fung, Treasurer Dr. Allan Grill and CEO Kavita Mehta had the opportunity to present our submission on The People’s Health Care Act to the Standing Committee on Social Policy at the Ontario Legislature on April 2, which was well received. Read the highlights and full submission here.
Financial webinar series starting Apr. 17
<em>Lindsay Royston, CPA, CA, Manager, Grant Thornton LLP</em>
AFHTO is pleased to be presenting a financial webinar series for health care non-profits, members and non-members alike. We’ll be tackling topics from fraud to cyber-security. Register for 1 session or all 6!
Board members are also encouraged to attend this webinar as they have been charged with fiduciary and duty of care responsibilities.
Mark your calendars for the inaugural primary care virtual community meeting on April 25th.
The virtual community will bring together those in primary care that are interested in leading in their context and supporting meaningful system change within the Ontario healthcare system. With the changes coming through the development of Ontario Health Teams, positioning supporting primary care clinicians to lead in their settings will be important in order to truly integrate patient-centred care to improve the patient experience and outcomes, and to improve the experience of those delivering care too.
Join the first virtual conversation with special guest, Dr. Robert Varnam, GP and Head of General Practice Development at NHS England, as he shares learning from the journey that the UK underwent in health system transformation where primary care was at the centre of reforms, and how we might use that learning in Ontario. AFHTO is pleased to be supporting this primary care virtual network with our OCFP and Change Foundation partners.
OHIP+ update
The Ministry is hosting weekly webinars to provide an overview of the redesigned OHIP+ and to answer questions regarding changes to Ontario Drug Benefit program coverage for children and youth aged 24 years and under. The next webinar is on Wed. Apr. 10, 2019 from 12:15-1:00 pm.
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario seeking regional champions
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario is currently seeking additional Regional Champions to fill vacancies in the Health Care Consent Advance Care Planning Community of Practice across multiple LHIN regions. Details available here.Deadline May 6, 4:00 p.m.
Going beyond imitation: how do your benefit programs & compensation compare?
As the landscape surrounding employee engagement, retention and attraction evolves, it’s important to know where your employee’s total rewards programs stack up.
CHOGIP is pleased to offer AFHTO members complimentary access to Gallagher’s 2019 National Benefits Strategy Benchmark and Compensation Survey. To participate, register through the link for your personalized login details. Deadline Friday April 19, 2019.
For those who participated in 2018, you can request your data be prepopulated in the 2019 survey to reduce your work-load!
If you have any questions, contact Susan Healey, Senior Consultant, Gallagher, at susan_healey@ajg.com or (519) 340-1121.
Big White Wall and BounceBack: Free Psychotherapy Services for Adults And Youth With Mild To Moderate Depression And Anxiety, Apr. 4 & 11, 2019
Attend this accredited webinar to learn more about these free mental health services. Register here.
A Successful Nurse-Led Program in Primary Care for Patients with Chronic Pain, Apr. 18, 2019
Learn about the feasible, evidence-based and cost-effective program based on self-management support for chronic non-cancer pain. Find out more here.
CommunityConnect 2019 conference, Oct. 23-24, 2019
Hosted by the Ontario Community Support Association, the call for abstracts is open until April 18, 2019. Learn more here.
LeaderShift Conference, July 11, 2019
Join other leaders in the community and primary care for this leadership conference delivered by LEADS Canada. Registration and call for projects are now open. Find out more here.
This document is detailed guidance on the process involved in becoming an Ontario Health Team. There will be a continuous readiness assessment process that will begin with providers’ self-assessment, followed by an application and an in-person visit.
More information and resources are here, including rough timelines on the assessment process and details on a webinar for this Friday, April 5, at 2 PM.
There is also a tele-town hall with Minister Elliott at 4 PM today, which we encourage you call in to, if possible on such short notice:
Speaking at today’s public hearing on Bill 74: The People’s Health Care Act
AFHTO 2019 Conference: submit your presentation & poster abstracts
Webinars on governance, NPs & more- videos and slides
Primary health care articles
OHIP+ update
Save The Date – DC FHT RD Conference
Upcoming events regarding free psychotherapy and more
Speaking at today’s public hearing on Bill 74: The People’s Health Care Act
Later today our President and Chair Beth Cowper-Fung, Treasurer Dr. Allan Grill and CEO Kavita Mehta are presenting our submission on The People’s Health Care Act to the Standing Committee on Social Policy at the Ontario Legislature.
One of only 30 invited presenters from more than 1400 submissions, they will emphasise the importance of team-based primary health care in these sweeping changes to Ontario’s healthcare system.
We will post the submission later this week and include it in next week’s Bits & Pieces.
AFHTO 2019 Conference: submit your presentation & poster abstracts
What if that little program you’re quietly doing, reducing trips to the ER, relieving patients of unnecessary complications, could spread? It can, if you submit an abstract to present a concurrent session or poster in 6 core themes at the AFHTO 2019 Conference on September 19 & 20, 2019. Find out more here. Deadline Apr. 24, 2019.
Webinars on governance, NPs & more- videos and slides
If you missed recent webinars, slides, videos and other materials for the following are now available:
OHIP+ update
The Ministry is hosting weekly webinars to provide an overview of the redesigned OHIP+ and to answer questions regarding changes to Ontario Drug Benefit program coverage for children and youth aged 24 years and under. The next webinar is on Wed. Apr. 3, 2019 from 12:15-1:00 pm.
Save The Date – DC FHT RD Conference
The 14th Annual Dietitians of Canada FHT RD Conference & RD Research Day will be held Oct. 17-18, 2019 in St. Catharine’s, ON. More details to come soon.
Big White Wall and BounceBack: Free Psychotherapy Services for Adults And Youth With Mild To Moderate Depression And Anxiety, Apr. 4 & 11, 2019
Attend this accredited webinar to learn more about these free mental health services. Register here.
A Successful Nurse-Led Program in Primary Care for Patients with Chronic Pain, Apr. 18, 2019
Learn about the feasible, evidence-based and cost-effective program based on self-management support for chronic non-cancer pain. Find out more here.
Stroke and TIA Management Updated for Primary Care Providers in Windsor-Essex & Chatham Kent, May 1, 2019
Join the afternoon session in Windsor to learn about updates to stroke and TIA management—aimed at NPs and physicians. Find out more here.
NEDIC Body Image And Self-Esteem Conference, May 9-10, 2019
Take part in NEDIC’s biennial body image and self esteem conference under the theme Radical Unlearning. Find out more here.
Primary care leaders in health system restructuring
Lots of MPPs and lots of meetings!
AFHTO 2019 working groups deadline now Mar. 29
Financial webinars starting Apr. 17
Caregiver support modules
Ministry updates including Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment shortage
Upcoming events regarding risk management and more
Primary care leaders in health system restructuring
There’s a lot of uncertainty about the changes coming to the health care system, and the role primary care teams could play in the restructuring. The expressions of interest for the first wave of Ontario Health Teams is expected soon, with likely a small number selected to start. Local conversations will continue, and teams can be collaborating with providers in their regions about the importance of team-based primary care in Ontario Health Teams. There is an opportunity for teams to be leaders.
<em>AFHTO president and board chair Beth Cowper-Fung, her team and a patient at the Georgina NPLC recently met with their MPP, the Hon. Caroline Mulroney</em>
Teams continue to meet with their MPPs to share the value of team-based primary care in the community and the importance of it being key in the development of all Ontario Health Teams. Check out tools and key messages to communicate here.
Financial webinars starting Apr. 17
AFHTO will be hosting a financial webinar series starting April 17, 2019. These webinars will be presented by the financial experts at Grant Thornton LLP and are open to:
Board members who may be interested in learning more about their fiduciary responsibilities related to financial management of their primary care organization
Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in leadership positions and who are also board members
Clinic Directors and Executive Directors who want a refresher or update on current trends in financial and risk management
Admin Leads and Finance Managers who want to stay on top of current trends in financial and risk management
As Ontario’s primary health care system undergoes transformation, AFHTO members are being positioned through these financial webinars to continue to efficiently manage their primary care organizations. You can register for all six webinars or opt to select only topics of interest. All webinars will be recorded and made available to registered participants.
Caregiver support modules
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario has launched a comprehensive set of Caregiver Modules to provide informal caregivers with support, resources, and information they need. Topics include learning how to deal with their own emotions, learning how to make tough decisions, and being able to meet the appropriate physical, spiritual and cultural needs for the individual they’re taking care of.
Anyone wishing to access the modules can do so by visiting the webpage, downloading the PDFs, or even listening along to the transcribed audio clips. The modules are free to access and available in English, French and First Nations.
Ministry updates
Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment shortage: memo from the Chief Medical Officer of Health is now available, along with relevant documentation.
OHIP+: The Ministry is hosting weekly webinars to provide an overview of the redesigned OHIP+ and to answer questions regarding changes to Ontario Drug Benefit program coverage for children and youth aged 24 years and under. The next webinar is on Wed. March 27, 2019 from 12:15-1:00 pm.
Governance Webcast Series: Risk Management, Mar. 27, 2019
Join us to discuss risk management and the board’s role and leading practices in this. Register here.
Big White Wall and BounceBack: Free Psychotherapy Services for Adults And Youth With Mild To Moderate Depression And Anxiety, Apr. 4 & 11, 2019
Attend this accredited webinar to learn more about these free mental health services. Register here.
A Successful Nurse-Led Program in Primary Care for Patients with Chronic Pain, Apr. 18, 2019
Learn about the feasible, evidence-based and cost-effective program based on self-management support for chronic non-cancer pain. Find out more here.
Stroke and TIA Management Updated for Primary Care Providers in Windsor-Essex & Chatham Kent, May 1, 2019
Join the afternoon session in Windsor to learn about updates to stroke and TIA management—aimed at NPs and physicians. Find out more here.
Building Together: How to become a high-performing team Workshop Synopsis
Building Together: How to become a high-performing team Workshop Synopsis
On March 6th and 8th, 2019, 51 healthcare professionals working in primary care teams across Ontario came together in Ottawa and Toronto for the Building Together: How to become a high performing team workshop.
Dr. Judith Belle Brown led the plenary session through an exploration of the foundational elements that teams are built on. These elements include having a common philosophy toward teamwork, strong relationships, open communication, and a shared commitment to good patient care. Dr. Brown also discussed the evolution of primary care teams throughout her research journey, as well as the preliminary results from the QI Enablers Study.
Wisdom from the Field: Participants share ideas they plan on trying with their team.
Throughout the day, participants learned about three pillars of teamwork identified from the QI Enablers Study that contribute to interdisciplinary collaborative teamwork in primary care. These pillars include leadership, team building and optimizing physical space. During these small group sessions, participants were able to brainstorm ideas on how they can strengthen these pillars within their teams. At the end of the day, individuals were able to vote on their favourite ideas they plan on bringing back to their teams.
Leadership
In small groups, participants were asked to answer the following questions:
What opportunities are there in your team to take part in leadership activities?
How can your team create opportunities for leadership?
How can your team share leadership within your team?
We would like to thank everyone who came out to the sessions. If you have any questions or comments regarding the session or its content, please contact improve@afhto.ca.
Thank you to our supporting partner We are grateful to our research partners at the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Western University, through the INSPIRE2-PHC program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Our partners have provided practical support for the research and funding for the workshops.
Restructuring of the Health Care System: What You Need to Know
March is Nutrition Month!
Reminder – AFHTO 2019 Conference call for working groups deadline Mar. 26
OHA board self-assessment tool
Health Quality Ontario updates
Reminder – deadline to sign up for Harvard ManageMentor Mar. 25
OHIP+ updates
Upcoming events such as a Collaborative Mentoring Network conference and more
Restructuring of the Health Care System: What You Need to Know
The health care system is undergoing a major structural overhaul. The People’s Health Care Act was introduced on February 28, the Ontario Health board of directors was announced on March 8, and the first Expression of Interest for Ontario Health Teams is expected soon.
March is Nutrition Month!
Please join our Registered Dietitians in celebrating the impact of good nutrition on our patients’ health outcomes. Primary health care dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy which can lower A1c by 1-2%, lower blood pressure as well as 1 medication.
OHA board self-assessment tool
Boards that self-assess can better identify the areas in which they are performing well as a board, areas for improvement and areas of concern. The Ontario Hospital Association is once again offering the Board Self-Assessment Tool, an online, questionnaire which must be completed by each board member individually. Free to OHA members, it’s available until June 4, 2019.
Reminder – deadline to sign up for Harvard ManageMentor Mar. 25
Recently we had a lunch and learn session hosted in partnership with Harvard ManageMentor. The video is now on our members only site.
If you have any questions about Harvard ManageMentor and/or Spark, please contact Candace Dames at cdames@edls.com or (647) 838 2555. If you’re interested in participating, please contact Bryn Hamilton, by March 25.
OHIP+ updates
The Ministry is hosting weekly webinars to provide an overview of the redesigned OHIP+ and to answer questions regarding changes to Ontario Drug Benefit program coverage for children and youth aged 24 years and under. The next webinar is on Wed. March 20, 2019 from 12:15-1:00 pm.
Teleconference information will be available at this link 10 minutes prior to the start of the webinar. Please mute your phone by pressing *6 once you have dialed in. If you don’t have the latest version of Adobe installed on your device, please click on the link a few minutes early in the event you are prompted to update your software.
Transforming Primary Care for Older Adults Living with Frailty, Mar 21, 2019
Learn how to better care for older patients in this interactive webinar supported by the Canadian Frailty Network & AFHTO. Suitable for all team members. Register here.
Governance Webcast Series: Risk Management, Mar. 27, 2019
Join us to discuss risk management and the board’s role and leading practices in this. Register here.
Leadership in Primary Care Collaborative Mentoring Network Conference, Mar. 25, 2019
OCFP’s inaugural conference for the Leadership in Primary Care Collaborative Mentoring Network, ‘Connected Leadership for Greater Competence, Confidence and Capacity‘. Register here.
A Successful Nurse-Led Program in Primary Care For Patients With Chronic Pain, Apr. 18, 2019
Learn about the feasible, evidence-based and cost-effective program based on SMS. Held by the CNCP. Find out more here.
Big White Wall and BounceBack: Free Psychotherapy Services For Adults And Youth With Mild To Moderate Depression And Anxiety, Apr. 4, 2019
Attend this accredited webinar to learn more about these free mental health services. Register here.
Reminder- transforming primary care for older Canadians living with frailty
Harvard ManageMentor video available-deadline Mar. 25
Health Quality Ontario draft quality standards
Advance Care Planning Day 2019
Save the date: LeaderShift Conference, July 11, 2019
Ontario Works Handbook
Upcoming events on risk management and more
Introducing our revamped website
We’re pleased to introduce our new website, updated with a new look and layout. Now updated to become an even better resource to the public and members alike. Changes include:
Play a vital role in shaping the conference by joining a working group today. Come behind the scenes and be the first to learn about new developments in the field, influence conference programming and discover the latest innovators in your areas of interest. Working group members also receive a $50 discount off their registration fee. Deadline Mar. 26, 2019.
Leadershift 2019 spring cohort deadline
As the LeaderShift Project enters its final year, we’d like to strongly encourage you to apply for a spot in an upcoming LEADS Learning Series cohort.
The upcoming cohorts are in Oshawa, Hamilton and Toronto in May/June 2019. There are zero registration fees for members and travel subsidies are available. No formal educational prerequisite is required.
For more information on HOW TO APPLY TODAY click here. Deadline Mar. 18, 2019.
Reminder- transforming primary care for older Canadians living with frailty
Remember to register for the upcoming webinar, Transforming Primary Care for Older Canadians Living with Frailty scheduled for Thurs., Mar. 21 from 12-1pm. This webinar is for all members of the team. For more information, click here.
Harvard ManageMentor video available-deadline Mar. 25
Last Tuesday we had a lunch and learn session hosted in partnership with Harvard ManageMentor. The video is now on our members only site.
If you have any questions about Harvard ManageMentor and/or Spark, please contact Candace Dames at cdames@edls.com or (647) 838 2555. If you’re interested in participating, please contact Bryn Hamilton by March 25.
Advance Care Planning Day 2019
Advanced Care Planning Day 2019 is on Tues., April 16. Hospice Palliative Care Ontario invites you to consider planning an educational or promotional event within your organization or community.
Save the date: LeaderShift Conference, July 11, 2019
Mark your calendars! LeaderShift will be hosting a one-day leadership conference on July 11, 2019, at the BMO Institute for Learning in Toronto. You won’t want to miss out on this exciting, ground breaking leadership development conference for leaders in community and primary health care. This event could not be timelier, so stay tuned for more detail and check out www.leadershiftproject.ca, which will be updated regularly.
Done in partnership with City of Toronto Employment & Social Services, Working for Change, this City of Toronto-specific handbook is packed with practical tips, tools and strategies that will help someone navigate the Ontario Works system.
You can access the guide here or if you wanted printed copies, you can email openlab@uhn.ca. Any questions can be directed to Tai Huynh, Creative Director, at tai.m.huynh@gmail.com.
Governance Webcast Series: Risk Management, Mar. 27, 2019
Join us to discuss risk management and the board’s role and leading practices in this. Register here.
Transforming Primary Care for Older Adults Living with Frailty, Mar 21, 2019
Learn how to better care for older patients in this interactive webinar supported by the Canadian Frailty Network & AFHTO. Suitable for all team members. Register here.
Leadership in Primary Care Collaborative Mentoring Network Conference, Mar. 25, 2019
OCFP’s inaugural conference for the Leadership in Primary Care Collaborative Mentoring Network, ‘Connected Leadership for Greater Competence, Confidence and Capacity‘. Register here.
Charting the Future of Primary Care: Leadership, Teams, and Culture, Apr. 11-12, 2019
The Ivey Academy’s new executive education program for physicians, delivered in partnership with Harvard Medical School. Find out more here.
On February 26th, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Christine Elliott, announced the government’s plans for health system transformation by tabling the proposed legislation, Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, 2019. While some matters are still unknown with regards to the implementation of the legislation, there are two parts of the Act that may have impact for our members and are being highlighted.
Ontario Health (previously known as the ‘Super Agency’)
This new agency would deliver health care province-wide through the consolidation of 20 current Crown organizations including:
Cancer Care Ontario
Health Quality Ontario
eHealth Ontario
Trillium Gift of Life Network
Health Shared Services Ontario
HealthForce Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency
14 Local Health Integration Networks
Ontario Health would be an agency under the Broader Public Service Accountability Act and would be governed by a 15-person Board of Directors that will be appointed by Cabinet. A CEO search is underway, with a focus on people with a business background.
Ontario Health Teams (previously known as ‘MyCare Groups’)
Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) will be responsible for delivery of patient care in a defined geography with the intent to deliver, in an integrated and coordinated manner, at least three types of health services including:
Hospital care
Primary care
Mental health and addictions care
Long-term care
Home and community care
Palliative care
Although there appears to be 30 unsolicited proposals already submitted to the Ministry, all proposals will need to undergo a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) and a readiness assessment, which will also include a site visit that would include speaking to all partners identified in the proposal. At full maturation, it’s anticipated there will be 30 to 50 OHTs across the province, each serving between 50,000 to 500,000 people with an average of around 300,000.
How does this all impact team-based primary care?
*NOTE: this is speculative and would need to be verified once more information is known on the roll out of the new agency
Ontario Health:
The legislation defines that FHTs and NPLCs will now be defined as ‘health service providers’ which means at some point, all contracts will move over to the agency BUT at the moment things will be status quo until they sort out contract management – it appears that current FHT contracts will probably stay in effect for some time and the NPLC contract will need to be opened up to allow for an assignment clause to Ontario Health. This could all take some time.
The LHINs may be in existence for a while with the function of managing home and community care until they are transferred, possibly to the OHTs (ensuring continuity of patient care).
Five regional entities will be established under the agency to provide more oversight of health service delivery.
It’s not well understood if family physicians can be defined as an HSP but the legislation allows ‘any other person or entity or class of persons or entities that is prescribed’.
Ontario Health Teams:
Primary care can apply to lead the development of an OHT in their community, especially if the size of the population that they serve are over 50,000.
Governance structures will remain but there would be one budget that the lead would be accountable for – the focus right now is on collaborative governance, with a focus on seamless transitions of care for patients.
There will be a readiness assessment with the early adopters and site visits – if a proposal indicates that partners are going to participate, they’ll visit and see what that means if there was true collaboration in developing the proposal.
OHTs will have supports from the government and will also be a conduit to identify legislative and regulatory barriers to success, barriers to integration, sharing or best practices, tools for digital health and communications and change management assistance.
Overall – there aren’t many answers yet and more information will follow as the Ministry starts working on its implementation plan. AFHTO looks forward to working with stakeholders including OCFP, Section on General and Family Practice, NPAO, and others to ensure that primary care’s foundational role in health system transformation is recognized.
Next Steps:
AFHTO will be setting up a webinar with H&K to walk through the Act and to explain the EOIs when they come out – anticipated date for roll out is mid to late March so stay tuned for more details.
As this rolls out there will be a lot of questions so please let us know at info@afhto.ca – we will be having ongoing conversations with the Ministry during the implementation of the Act and would like to let them know about concerns/questions from the field.
If you or your team is interested in leading and/or participating in the EOI when they become available, please let us know at info@afhto.ca so that we can ensure the decision makers in the Ministry are also aware.
Reminder – AFHTO 2019 Conference call for working groups deadline Mar. 26
