Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Mental Health Care

  • 2023 Conference Themes

    2023 Conference Themes

    Team-Based Care: Making it a reality for all

    text says Team Based Care: Making it a reality for all in white font on a blue streaked background, like hyperspace

     

    The AFHTO 2023 Conference program is built around 4 core themes.

    1. Using a population-based approach to provide care to the community
    2. Optimising teams’ capacity and creating efficiencies
    3. Organizing primary care to advance Ontario Health Teams
    4. Embedding mental health and home care in primary care

     

    ConFERENCE Theme Descriptions

    Download a printable PDF of the theme descriptions here.

     

    1. Using a population-based approach to provide care to the community

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Expanding access to teams for unattached patients
    • Partnerships to facilitate population-based health approaches
    • Utilising data to inform population-based planning
    • Collaborative governance / Governance at the OHT level

     

    2. Optimising teams’ capacity and creating efficiencies

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Triage in a world of virtual online booking
    • Focus on non-digital methods of integration including back-office integration, common clinical pathways, cross-team collaborations/regional approaches to care
    • Creating operational efficiencies through digital health tools
    • Interprofessional Health Providers and full scope of practice
    • Staff and provider wellness
    • Recruitment and retention

    3. Organizing primary care to advance Ontario Health Teams

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Building Primary Care Networks- success case studies
    • Integrating Primary Care Networks with OHTs
    • Jurisdictional review of organized primary care

    4. Embedding mental health and home care in primary care

    Topics of interest include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Increasing access to mental health and addictions support at the population level
    • Supporting Mental Health Promotion & Prevention (including support for Children and Youth)
    • Mental health pathways in Ontario Health Teams
    • Primary Care in the home
    • Increasing collaborations between providers

  • Mandatory Evaluation to Capture MHA Funding Impact (20-30min survey, due Apr 28)

    Dear Executive Directors and Administrative Leads,
     
    AFHTO is grateful for your hard work and creativity in utilizing the one-time MHA funding provided in January.
     
    Now is the time for you to showcase the breadth and impact of your work and make the case for this to become baseline funding for wellness and MHA care.
     
    Due by end of day Friday, April 28, this Final Evaluation is mandatory for all teams. The evaluation has been designed as a 20-30 min rapid-selection survey to be mindful of your time. Please only complete one response per organization.
     
    Please click here to complete the survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W23CDVV
     
    As you may be aware, IPHCC (in collaboration with Alliance for Healthier Communities, AFHTO and NPLCA) is leading the development of this funding evaluation report to the Ministry of Health. They are supported in this work by Dr. Javed Alloo, Colliers Project Leaders, and Community Storytelling. If you have any questions about this evaluation, please contact Angela.Picot@colliersprojectleaders.com.
     
    Thank you again for all your hard work. Your response to this evaluation will support efforts to make this funding more sustainable.

  • Solutions for Rapid Utilization of MHA Funding & Preliminary Survey Reminder

    Dear Executive Directors/Administrative Leads,
     
    Thank you for all your hard work with the one-time MHA funding that you received early this year.
     
    We recognize that short timelines and capacity constrains pose challenges with utilizing funding, so with our partners we have created a resource with a detailed list of recommendations to support you. Please see “Solutions for Rapid Implementation of MHA Funding for Primary Care Teams”. You may find this guidance helpful in addition to the previous guidance we shared.
     
    If you haven’t already, please also click here to fill out the 5-7 minute preliminary scoping survey about this MHA funding, which is helping to identify the value and spectrum of your work (survey deadline extended to March 31). Your responses will help shape the final evaluation of this MHA funding that will follow in April. Your contributions and survey participation can help build a strong case for renewed and sustained Mental Health and Addictions funding for primary care teams across Ontario.

    We hope this resource is helpful both for utilizing this funding and for your ongoing work. Thank you in advance for all your effort and contributions.

    If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Abisola Otepola.

  • Bits & Pieces: inclusive community grants and more

    Bits & Pieces: inclusive community grants and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Applications open for 2023-24 Inclusive Community Grants
    • Member stories
    • Infant Moderna shelf-life extension, Canada investing in Long COVID research and more
    • Join the Ontario First Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force- deadline Mar. 15
    • Call for expression of interest: Ontario MHA Oversight Table
    • It’s never too early to begin preparing for National Advance Care Planning Day
    • Community Legal Education Ontario wants to understand your legal needs
    • Upcoming events including Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope – and What it Means for Appropriate Prescribing, and more

     

    Applications open for 2023-24 Inclusive Community Grants
    Members and/or partners may be eligible for Inclusive Community Grants. The grants provide municipalities, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities with up to $60,000 for local projects that will help older residents and people with disabilities participate in community life. Deadline April 20, 2023. Find out more here.

    MPP Robin Martin stands with MD, social worker and pharmacist and leadership team at North York FHT and their Board Chair in front of windows in a room. All are masked.

     

    Member stories

    North York FHT – MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Robin Martin visited North York FHT last week.

    Picture left: MPP Robin Martin with physician, social worker, pharmacist, leadership team and Board Chair at North York FHT.

     

     

    Infant Moderna shelf-life extension, Canada investing in Long COVID research and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Join the Ontario First Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force- deadline Mar. 15

    Prenatal Screening Ontario (PSO) is seeking experts to join the First-Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force to advise on implementation considerations for first-trimester preeclampsia screening, should it be made available in Ontario. This is a short-term task force (find terms of reference here). To apply, fill out this survey and forward your CV to PSO@bornontario.ca  by Mar. 15, 2023.

    Call for expression of interest: Ontario MHA Oversight Table

    Ontario Health has sent out a Call for Expression of Interest for members of the Mental Health and Addictions Oversight Table. The table will define, guide, monitor and lead the development and delivery of standardized, high quality mental health and addictions services to address the needs of Ontarians per the mandate of the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence.

    The table will have input from the Clinical Council, the Planning and Performance Council and other, more focused, Centre of Excellence advisory tables, and the broader mental health and addictions stakeholders across Ontario. Senior clinical and administrative system leaders are invited to submit an expression of interest as a member of the Oversight Table. Please see the Call for Expression of Interest and terms of reference for more information. Submissions should be sent by Friday, March 24, 2023 to mhacoe@ontariohealth.ca.

    It’s never too early to begin preparing for National Advance Care Planning Day

    Content provided by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

    National Advance Care Planning Day is on April 16, 2023, and Hospice Palliative Care Ontario has tools and resources to help you prepare.

    The Person-Centred Decision-Making Online Learning Portal was developed to assist you with having Advance Care Planning conversations and Goals of Care discussions with your patients. This program is intended to increase awareness and knowledge as well as build capacity across Ontario’s health care system. If you are a health professional or administrator and are interested in learning about Advance Care Planning, Health Care Consent, and Goals of Care, you can access the course here.

    We also have resources to support you whether you plan on providing an educational event within your organization or community, or plan on having a conversation with your patients. The guides, posters, postcards, wallet cards, and bookmarks are great resources to incorporate into your Advance Care Planning Day initiatives or ongoing conversations.

    To encourage these important conversations, all orders placed on materials until March 31 at 4:00 P.M. will be provided with a discount of 20% off. Visit our website to order materials.

    Community Legal Education Ontario wants to understand your legal needs

    Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) is launching a survey to get a picture of the legal needs of nonprofits relating to governance, employment law, and privacy/record keeping. By participating, you will be helping to inform CLEO about the legal supports your organization needs. The survey has 15 questions and should take about 15 minutes. Please take a moment to complete the survey. To learn more about the Nonprofit Law Ontario project, visit nonprofitlaw.cleo.on.ca.

    Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope – and What it Means for Appropriate Prescribing, Mar. 22, 2023

    In several provinces, the scope of pharmacist prescribing has expanded, enabling them to assess and prescribe treatments for common syndromes. With other provinces and territories expected to adopt similar approaches, how do we support pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals in promoting resource stewardship and appropriate prescribing practices? Hosted by Choose Wisely Toronto. Find out more here.

    Journey with depression: Experiences accessing treatment and services, Mar. 23, 2023
    Virtual town hall hosted by ODPRN Citizens’ Panel with Dr. Noah Ivers. Find out more here.

    Together We Care 2023, Mar. 27- 29, 2023
    Together We Care is the largest and most comprehensive learning and networking experience for professionals in long-term care and retirement living. Find out more here.

    Engaging primary care – from the inside out, Mar. 24, 2023
    Part of the OHT Impact Fellows- Knowledge Translation Lunch and Learn Series. Register here.

    DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, Mar. 31, 2023
    Join a conversation with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, CEO of Wellesley Institute and Professor of Psychiatry at U of T, on how family doctors and primary care providers can better link their work in education, research, and quality improvement to the social determinants of health, and how to partner with organizations that serve communities to be more socially accountable in their work. Learn more here.

    Primary care data reports for OHTs, Mar. 29, 2023

    Hosted by INSPIRE-PHC. Primary Care Data Reports for all OHTs are available here. Join here.

  • Register Now – New Governance Support Available

    Hello EDs/Admin leads, board chairs, and lead clinicians,

    We’ve got all your Governance Training needs covered! Please see the Governance courses, webcast and training sessions available through AFHTO below:

    Provincial Webcast: Governing Through Complexity
    As a result of COVID-19, the implementation of Ontario Health Teams, HHR challenges, capacity and access constraints, and the shift to a population based approach, the pace of change has been quick and for many governors of primary health care teams the question remains: “What is the role of our board in this changing environment? How do we strengthen our governance practices? Where should we focus our efforts?”? This provincial webcast will help explore these questions and equip board members with the necessary knowledge to lead effectively and implement high functioning governance practices.

    Facilitators:       

    Dr. Rob Annis | Family Physician & AFHTO Board Member
    North Perth Family Health Team
    Bryn Hamilton | Interim CEO
    Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario

    DATE: April 4th 12:00-1:30pm

    AFHTO/David Hartley Partnership
    Many of you are familiar with David Hartley’s particular expertise in primary care governance, so we are excited to share AFHTO’s partnership with him! David will offer his ‘Best Practice FHT Board Governance Training’ to teams on a 50/50 cost shared arrangement with AFHTO. This is $1350 in savings for teams! Up to 20 teams will receive Training in the form of either: 1) Virtual Option: 2 X 90 minute virtual training sessions (the sessions can be spread out 2 months). Cost per team = $1350; 2) In-Person Option: 3 hours at a location of your choosing. Cost per team = $1850

    More details on the resources and course content are available here.

    AFHTO/Charity Village Partnership
    We are pleased to announce a continued partnership with Charity Village to offer our teams a range of free governance courses. Over 100 members across 25 teams took advantage of these sessions last year with overwhelmingly positive feedback. We have added to the course offerings this year to ensure a broad range of topics to choose from.  

    Each course is chock full of solid information and practical resources that you can download and keep on hand for future reference. Courses are offered virtually in a self paced format. You have 3 months to complete the course once started. Below is a list of courses teams may choose from.

    1. Better Board Kit
    This is a three-part series which includes a 1.5 hr online, on-demand Boards that Work course + a Board Self Evaluation Survey + a Facilitation Guide that will walk your board through a planning session based on the survey results. The Boards that Work kit is available for up to 10 board members.

    For more information, please visit this page. This is a great refresher for all board members and a good way to complete the board evaluation that’s required as part of your governance attestation!

    2. Governing your Organization: A Deeper Dive
    Building on the foundations established in the Boards That Work course, this is a 2 hour on-demand course. For more information, please visit this page.

    3. Diversity, Sensitivity, and Inclusion Training: Promoting Anti-Discrimination and Equity in the Workplace
    This is an on-demand course that will take approximately 1-2 hours to complete. For more information, please visit this page.

    4. IDEA
    This module introduces core concepts and principles to help you establish foundational knowledge of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). For more information, please visit this page.

    5. OHSA and AODA Compliance Training Package (Available for Managers and/or Employees)
    Compliance training regarding Harassment, Health & Safety and Accessibility are mandatory for all non-profit organizations. Ensure your organization is protected from risk and non-compliance by signing up. For more information, please visit this page (managers) or this page (employees).

    If you are interested in any of the courses or training listed above, please click here.

    Setting the Cornerstone: A Blueprint for the Implementation of PCNs in Ontario Discussion document

    And finally, in our efforts to strengthen overall governance practices and models by enabling horizontal integration of the primary care sector, we are pleased to share with you the concept discussion paper developed specifically for the Ministry of Health that outlines preliminary recommendations for the establishment of Primary Care Networks (or PCNs) in Ontario. Developed jointly with AFHTO/OCFP/SGFP, the Blueprint provides an important opportunity to strengthening our province’s primary care system.

    We respectfully acknowledge that further consultation with our members and key stakeholders representative of the sector is required to refine the recommendations being presented. We hope that by sharing the document it will be considered a starting point for discussions between the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health and representative of the primary care sector. With any changes it is critical that we work in co-design and all voices are heard. We will keep all members updated as conversations unfold.

     
    Any questions, feel free to reach out! We hope you find these offerings helpful as we continue to elevate our governance practices across teams.

  • Bits & Pieces: teams expanding and more

    Bits & Pieces: teams expanding and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month
    • Social Work Week
    • Measles preparedness and more
    • Member renewal emails sent
    • Q & A with Fernando Tavares for EDs, Mar. 28
    • Nominate high performing early career family physicians
    • Farewell card for Kavita- sign before Friday
    • Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence Update — March 2023
    • Upcoming events including Head and Neck Cancer: A Vaccine Preventable Disease and more

     

    Member stories

    Belleville NPLC- Belleville NPLC to get additional funding

    City of Kawartha Lakes FHT – City of Kawartha Lakes FHT offering urgent care clinics for residents without a doctor or nurse practitioner

    Ottawa Valley FHT – Family health team expansion improves primary care for Carleton Place and Beckwith residents

    Village FHT – How Ontario’s new health-care deal could change the way your family doctor works

    Discover the power of pharmacy

     

    Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month

    March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month! We would  like to thank all our teams’ pharmacists for their invaluable contributions to comprehensive patient care and for always being there to provide guidance and support. Happy Pharmacist appreciation month!

     

    Recognizing Social Wokers Across Ontario

     

     

    Social Work Week

    It’s Social Work Week in Ontario, and we’d like to thank our teams’ social workers, who have worked tirelessly to support their patients and communities. You can show your appreciation too, with resources from OASW.

     

     

     

    Measles preparedness and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Member renewal emails sent

    Member renewal emails have now been sent to all teams. Thank you to all our members for your participation as we work together to make things better for both primary care teams, your patients, and your communities. Emails were sent to the leadership triad and administration where previously directed. If you have any questions, please contact info@afhto.ca.

    Q & A with Fernando Tavares for EDs, Mar. 28

    We’re pleased to announce that Fernando will join us for another Q&A session to provide a brief update on the Annual Operating Plan (submission timelines + process), discuss further details on the FHT contract extension including updates to the Governance & Attestation document, and review details of the “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” investment of $30 million to help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care. All EDs are invited to attend the session on March 28th @ 12:00pm. Register here.

    Nominate high performing early career family physicians

    Dr. Monica Aggarwal at the University of Toronto is conducting a study that will identify the key capabilities and competencies of high-performing family medicine graduates. This will help inform how learning, teaching and assessment can be improved in family medicine residency programs in Canada.

    She’s looking for nominations for high-performing early-career family physicians (based on the criteria identified here). If you have a nominee, please contact monica.aggarwal@utoronto.ca.

    Farewell card for Kavita- sign before Friday
    If you would like to join us in wishing our current CEO Kavita Mehta farewell with your own best wishes, please leave your message to her on this e-card before her last day this Friday, March 10, 2023: https://ellacard.com/sign/6166bcff-87e1-4bd2-bcb6-fdae8226a1a7.

    Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence Update — March 2023
    Topics include Indigenous Mental Health and Equity and QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, a free virtual conference in April. Find out more here.

    Head and Neck Cancer: A Vaccine Preventable Disease, Mar. 7, 2023
    Speaker:
    Dr. Vivien Brown, Family Physician, Toronto, Ontario

    Moderator:
    Dr. Christine Palmay, Family Physician, Toronto, Ontario

    Special Guest Speaker:
    Dr. Cheryl Cable, BSc, DDS, MBA, FRCD(C), Prosthodontist and Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, Associate Professor University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

    Find out more here.

    OHT supports events, Mar. 9-24, 2023

    Hosted by RISE:

    Celebrating Social Prescribing: A Virtual Tour Across Canada, Mar. 9, 2023
    On International Social Prescribing Day 2023, join social prescribing leaders from across Canada for a whistle-stop tour around the country to celebrate and be inspired by the current state of this work and emerging opportunities in different regions. Register here.

    Together We Care 2023, Mar. 27- 29, 2023
    Together We Care is the largest and most comprehensive learning and networking experience for professionals in long-term care and retirement living. Find out more here.

    Primary care data reports for OHTs, Mar. 29, 2023

    Hosted by INSPIRE-PHC. Primary Care Data Reports for all OHTs are available here. Join here.

  • Bits & Pieces: federal health minister visits Summerville and more

    Bits & Pieces: federal health minister visits Summerville and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Update on the supply of Infant Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and more
    • Seeking input for the development of a patient and provider-informed cataract surgery care model
    • Pediatric psychopharmacology: a three-part series
    • Farewell card for Kavita
    • Upcoming events including Making Collaborative Governance Sustainable – A Developmental Life-Cycle Approach and more

     

    Member stories

    Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health and Hon. Kamal Kera, MP, Brampton West sit in front row with Summerville FHT staff sitting beside and standing behind them

    Summerville FHT – Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health and Hon. Kamal Kera, MP, Brampton West visited Summerville FHT Feb. 27 “to discuss the growing importance of family health teams in providing primary care across Ontario.”

    Algonquin FHT– Huntsville Health Care Clinic expanding to general primary care for unattached patients on February 28

    North Simcoe FHT – Funding for local COVID-19, cold, flu clinic to cease in March

    Update on the supply of Infant Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Seeking input for the development of a patient and provider-informed cataract surgery care model

    The Prism Eye Institute Research Department at the University of Toronto is conducting a research study aimed at developing a new model of care for cataract surgery in Canada. They believe family physicians’ experience and expertise of in caring for and referring patients for cataract surgery will be invaluable to their research. The study aims to gather information on the barriers that patients with cataracts face when accessing care, as well as any facilitating or limiting factors that affect patient access to care. As there is currently a lack of information on this topic and no standardized method for prioritizing patients for cataract surgery, your input would be greatly appreciated. For more information, here is the informed consent form.

    Pediatric psychopharmacology: a three-part series

    ECHO Ontario CYMH is offering a 3-part Special Interest Series on Pediatric Psychopharmacology in March 2023. Details are still being finalized but they will focus on research and practical advice about using the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications for children and youth.

    Part 1 – Depression and Anxiety – Mar. 15
    Part 2- Autism or Neurodevelopmental Disorders (TBC) – Mar. 22

    They’re also asking for your help to narrow down the topic selection for Part 3. Please click on this link and identify your preferred topic by Friday, March 3, 2023. Register here.

    Farewell card for Kavita
    If you would like to join us in wishing our current CEO Kavita Mehta farewell with your own best wishes, please leave your message to her on this e-card before her last day on Friday, March 10, 2023: https://ellacard.com/sign/6166bcff-87e1-4bd2-bcb6-fdae8226a1a7.

    OHT supports events, Mar. 3-29, 2023

    Hosted by RISE:

    Epilepsy in Children and Youth: Advanced Program, Mar. 6- May 1, 2023
    Hosted by Project ECHO, this program explores a range of complex topics such as drug resistant epilepsy, polypharmacy, genetics, ketogenic diet, and more. This program is intended for clinicians who are seeking to further their competencies in epileptology. Register here.

    Together We Care 2023, Mar. 27- 29, 2023
    Together We Care is the largest and most comprehensive learning and networking experience for professionals in long-term care and retirement living. Find out more here.

  • Winter Highlights 2023: AFHTO Leadership Council

    Fernando Tavares, Program Manager, Primary Health Care Branch, OHIP, Pharmaceuticals and Devices Division, MOH joined the AFHTO Leadership Council on February 17. Below are highlights from that meeting and updates on work that is underway.

    Q & A with Fernando Tavares
    Fernando Tavares joined the Leadership Council meeting for an hour-long Q&A session to discuss various topics, including provincial factors that are shaping and influencing the direction of team-based care in Ontario. Questions focused on the shift to a population-based approach to care, the future state of OHTs, relations between MOH and OH, HHR challenges, and organizing primary care. You can access the recording here.

    We are also pleased to announce that Fernando will join us for another Q&A session to provide a brief update on the Annual Operating Plan (submission timelines + process), discuss further details on the FHT contract extension including updates to the Governance & Attestation document, and review details of the “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” investment of $30 million to help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care.  All EDs are invited to attend the session on March 28th @ 12:00pm. Click here to register.

    Preliminary Survey to Capture MHA Funding Impact
    Further to our memo released on January 30th,the IPHCC has developed a preliminary survey to assess the progress and utilization of the MHA funding. Recognizing that teams have until March 31st to spend these funds, the intent of this survey is to capture the work you have underway and identify areas where we can provide further guidance, if necessary. The survey should take 5-7 minutes to complete. Please note this is not a replacement for the fulsome evaluation that the IHPCC will send to you in April. Read the full message here.

    Please complete the survey here before March 10. Your participation is greatly appreciated and will help to inform the feedback provided to the Ministry as well as the final survey you will receive in April. If you can’t access the link or have questions about the survey, please contact Abisola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    Market Salary Review & Compensation Working Group
    In 2022, multiple associations and organizations came together as the Community Compensation Working Group to jointly support a market survey in order to get a better idea of the wage disparity and compensation challenges across interprofessional primary care, community support services, community mental health and long-term care. The market salary review will be conducted for 78 positions across the primary and community care sectors. The Working Group has since partnered with Eckler Ltd. to begin this work with an estimated completion by end of spring 2023. Once complete, recommendations will be presented to the government and funders on reasonable, fair, and equitable compensation across the healthcare sector. Our goal is to demonstrate the significant pay gap and wage inequities across the community sector and to compel government to pay healthcare providers and staff the compensation they deserve.

    To ensure a successful market study with a substantive sample, Executive Directors are being asked to complete a survey that will accompany the market review. Surveys are targeted to be launched in late February 2023. If you have questions about this market study, please feel free to contact, Abisola Otepola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    IHP roles and responsibilities
    IHP members requested updated information on roles and responsibilities of IHPs to aid in the coordination and management of their respective teams. AFHTO is currently validating information that had been provided and is planning to release the information over the coming months.  Following the release of the guidance document, plans are in place to host a webinar series with a focus on individual IHP disciplines/roles. The goal is to have generative discussion around individual roles and responsibilities, challenges, and key enablers using the guidance document as the starting point. This work will be done in partnership with associations and key stakeholders. Preliminary timelines for this will be summer 2023.

    A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care – what we know to date
    On Feb 2nd 2023,  Health Minister Sylvia Jones launched Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, a plan that sets the vision and direction for Ontario’s health system strategy for the next few years. We were thrilled to see an investment of $30 million to expand or create new teams and help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care for vulnerable, marginalized, and unattached patients to ensure they can connect to care where and when they need it.

    AFHTO has been advocating for years around expansion of team-based care and it’s great to see the first large investment to expand teams in the province in a number of years. The details of what the implementation will look like (new teams or expansion of already existing teams) is still being worked through and we hope to provide you with more information as we continue to dialogue with the Ministry and Ontario Health. To read more about the Your Health plan please click here.

    PCN Primer
    Within the Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care we were also pleased to see the commitment to help support organizing primary care by:

    Creating a connected health care system through Ontario Health Teams by supporting collaboration and engagement with primary care providers across the province through the creation of primary care networks. Every Ontario Health Team will include a group of primary care providers organized in a network to be part of decision-making and to improve access to care for patients.

    To support the notion of primary organization, AFHTO along with our SGFP and OCFP partners have developed a concept discussion paper for the Ministry that outlines preliminary recommendations for the establishment of Primary Care Networks (or PCNs) in Ontario. A two-page primer summarizing the key concepts of PCNs can be seen here. We look forward to further consultations with our members and stakeholders over the coming months to refine the draft recommendations presented.

    $8.1M Funding Announcement for Expansion of Teams
    The provincial government is providing $8.1 million in new annualized base funding to enhance access to primary care in key regions of the province. “This funding will support various interprofessional primary care organizations, including 18 Family Health Teams (FHTs), 2 Community Health Centres (CHCs) and 2 Nurse Practitioner Led-Clinics (NPLCs), to continue the delivery of high-quality care that Ontarians know and deserve.” If your team is receiving new base funding and you’re able to share details, please contact us so we can share.

    2023 Pre-Budget Submissions
    On February 6, 2023 AFHTO submitted our recommendations to the government for their 2023 budget. Our recommendations are broken into four sections:

    1. Make team-based primary care available to more Ontarians through an investment of an additional $75 million pre year for 10 years (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    2. Address the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    3. Provide mental health and additions services and home and community care in coordination with primary care
    4. Provide resources to support the implementation of primary care networks (PCNs) and recognize PCNs as the organizing model for primary care. 

     
    AFHTO has begun to set up meetings with government bodies to present our recommendations and hopes to begin meeting with officials very soon. Members are encouraged to present the pre-budget submission to their own MPPs if given an opportunity to meet. Please let us know if we can help in your local advocacy efforts!

    AFHTO Conference
    Mark your calendars for October 25, 2023, with pre-conference sessions beginning on October 24th. Now’s the time to start thinking about your submissions for Bright Lights!  Stay tuned for more details over the coming weeks.  

    Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access
    While you may open our emails because you know you’re getting the latest and most relevant updates, you might have forgotten about other benefits available to you. Here are some which can facilitate not just your work, but that of staff, clinicians, and board members as well, or simply make life a little easier, including a 40% discount on CPS Full Access.

    As we move into the spring, we continue to thank you for the great work you all do. If there are ways we can support you, please let us know.

  • Preliminary Survey to Capture MHA Funding Impact

    Dear EDs and Admin Leads,

    Further to our Memo released on January 30th, the IPHCC has developed a preliminary survey to assess the progress and utilization of the MHA funding. Recognizing that teams have until March 31st to spend these funds, the intent of this survey is to capture the work you have underway and identify areas where we can provide further guidance, if necessary. The survey should take 5-7 minutes to complete. Please note this is not a replacement for the fulsome evaluation that the IHPCC will send to you in April. 
     
    Please complete the survey before March 10, by clicking this link. Your participation is greatly appreciated and will help to inform the feedback provided to the Ministry as well as the final survey you will receive in April. 

    Please note the following from the IHPCC regarding the evaluation framework:

    The scope of eligible work is wide, and you may have included unique innovations: we recognize that person-centered mental health is achieved not only by direct services to patients, but also supporting family and caregivers, and may include both individual services as well as panel or population education and outreach interventions, including efforts to address social determinants of mental health. This funding also provides an opportunity to reach systemically marginalized and people facing greater risk, including Indigenous, Black and Francophone communities, children, and youth, as well as those with chronic physical diseases (e.g., diabetes, heart disease and strokes, hypertension, lung diseases like COPD and asthma, kidney disease, etc.) which are associated with higher risk of concurrent mood and anxiety disorders, lower treatment adherence and poor health outcomes. Efforts that are culturally appropriate, motivate patient and caregiver autonomy and include measurements-based assessment (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, Audit-C, etc.) and stepped-care interventions strongly demonstrate the value of all your work.  

  • Winter Highlights 2023: AFHTO IHP Advisory Council Meeting

    We are pleased to launch the first AFHTO IHP Advisory Council Communique. The Council meets on a quarterly basis to provide input on primary care team matters related to IHPs, give advice to the AFHTO board and staff, and foster leadership across the IHP community. The council’s Terms of Reference and membership listing can be accessed here. Below are highlights from the winter 2023 council meeting.

    Market Salary Review & Compensation Working Group
    In 2022, multiple associations and organizations came together as the Community Compensation Working Group to jointly support a market survey in order to get a better idea of the wage disparity and compensation challenges across interprofessional primary care, community support services, community mental health and long-term care. The market salary review will be conducted for 78 positions across the primary and community care sectors.

    The Working Group has since partnered with Eckler Ltd. to begin this work with an estimated completion by end of spring 2023. Once complete, recommendations will be presented to the government and funders on reasonable, fair, and equitable compensation across the healthcare sector. Our goal is to demonstrate the significant pay gap and wage inequities across the community sector and to compel government to pay healthcare providers and staff the compensation they deserve.

    To ensure a successful market study with a substantive sample, Executive Directors are being asked to complete a survey that will accompany the market review. Surveys are targeted to be launched in late February 2023. If you have questions about this market study, please feel free to contact Abisola Otepola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    IHP Roles & Responsibilities

    As many of you are aware, members requested updated information on roles and responsibilities of IHPs to aid in the coordination and management of their respective teams. AFHTO is currently validating information that had been provided and is planning to release the information over the coming months.  

    Following the release of the guidance document, plans are in place to host a webinar series with a focus on individual IHP disciplines/roles. The goal is to have generative discussion around individual roles and responsibilities, challenges, and key enablers using the guidance document as the starting point. This work will be done in partnership with associations and key stakeholders. Preliminary timelines for this will be summer 2023.

    FHT and NPLC Contracts
    In late January teams received letters from the Ministry of Health with regards to the NPLC and FHT contracts for the upcoming fiscal year. The Ministry intends to transfer the contract management and oversight of the NPLCs to Ontario Health, effective April 1, 2023. All provisions in the NPLC Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

    A separate letter went to FHTs noting the FHT contract has been extended for another year. The FHT contract now expires on March 31, 2024. Although there should be no direct impact to IHPs, we understand there may be questions on the NPLC transition process and what this might mean for the potential of a future transition of the FHT contracts to OH. We’re speaking regularly with MOH and OH and will provide regular updates to our members.

    Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
    On Feb 2nd 2023,  Health Minister Sylvia Jones launched Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, a plan that sets the vision and direction for Ontario’s health system strategy for the next few years. We were thrilled to see an investment of $30 million to expand or create new teams and help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care for vulnerable, marginalized, and unattached patients to ensure they are able to connect to care where and when they need it.

    AFHTO has been advocating for years around expansion of team-based care and we were pleased to see the first large investment to expand teams in the province in a number of years. The details of what the implementation will look like (new teams or expansion of already existing teams) is still being worked through and we hope to provide you with more information as we continue to dialogue with the Ministry and Ontario Health. To read more about the Your Health plan please click here.

    AFHTO Conference
    Mark your calendars for October 25, 2023, with pre-conference sessions beginning on October 24th. Now’s the time to start thinking about your submissions for Bright Lights!  Stay tuned for more details over the coming weeks.  

    PCC & AFHTO Pre-Budget Submissions & Local Advocacy

    On February 6, 2023 AFHTO submitted our recommendations to the government for their 2023 budget. Our recommendations are broken into four sections:

    1. Make team-based primary care available to more Ontarians through an investment of an additional $75 million pre year for 10 years (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    2. Address the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    3. Provide mental health and additions services and home and community care in coordination with primary care
    4. Provide resources to support the implementation of primary care networks (PCNs) and recognize PCNs as the organizing model for primary care. 

     
    AFHTO has begun to set up meetings with government bodies to present our recommendations and hopes to begin meeting with officials very soon. Members are encouraged to present the pre-budget submission to their own MPPs if given an opportunity to meet. Please let us know if we can help in your local advocacy efforts!

    Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory
    IHPs in AFHTO member teams are encouraged to sign up to AFHTO’s IHP Directory! This directory will help improve AFHTO’s communication to IHPs, and it will support IHP networking, information sharing, and collaboration.

    After you sign up, you will be emailed a link to a spreadsheet with the names, professions, team names, and work emails of all IHPs who have signed up for open communication. You may sort by profession to see the names of those in the same discipline as you.

    AFHTO will be checking the directory and emailing links to new registrants every 1-2 weeks. We look forward to improved communication from AFHTO to IHPs, and across IHPs in AFHTO-member teams!

    Ongoing Communication
    We hope ongoing communiques will create an opportunity for you to learn and stay involved with what the AFHTO IHP Advisory Council is working on providing to the primary care community and fellow IHP members! Please contact us at any time if you have any questions and please encourage the IHPs in your team to sign up for these communiques.