Your Weekly News & Updates
| In This Issue | |
|
|
Learnings from primary care: Vaccine roll-out across Ontario
Please join us this Friday, February 26, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. to hear from teams who have stepped up to provide leadership for vaccine distribution in their communities. They will speak to work that is underway; offer guidance and advice; speak to challenges faced and how they are resolving them; and answer questions you may have.
Speakers:
- Jill Berridge (ED, McMaster FHT)
- Robin Mackie (ED, Delhi FHT)
- Teri Arany (ED, Toronto Western FHT) and Camille Lemieux (Lead Physician, Toronto Western FHT)
- Michèle Lajeunesse (Community Health Promotion Coordinator, Marathon FHT)
Ministry of Health officials, including Daniel Warshafsky (Senior Medical Consultant, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health) and Nadia Surani (Director, Primary Health Care Branch), will be on a portion of the webcast to provide an update on vaccine roll-out and to take questions. Register now.
Urgent reminder- Supply Ontario needs primary care voices
Supply Ontario is a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services.
They need your input to help identify opportunities to improve the value they can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline now March 9.
AFHTO 2021 Conference: tell us what YOU want, what you really, really want
It’s the last week of February and we’re starting to plan this year’s conference. We’re going virtual again and although we haven’t set a date yet, the earliest would be some time in October. Now that we’ve tried it once, we’d like to make the next better for you- more streamlined and focused on your needs.
We need your help. What do you want to hear more about and how would you like it?Tell us in this really quick survey. Deadline now March 9
Note: Yes, we made a Spice Girls reference. If you’d like a trip down memory lane or a dance break (we hear looking away from your screen occasionally is good for you) click here.
Black Health Matters: Building a primary health care system that works

In recognition of Black History Month, we offer this session from our 2020 conference (video link below). Anti-Black racism was already a pre-COVID pandemic, with its roots in history. What does this mean for primary care? For this session there was:
- An overall focus on Black people’s experience with healthcare in Ontario
- Context for this at the system/ policy level- including the ways in which seemingly neutral instruments and tools feed an anti-Black narrative
- Replicable programs addressing these issues as carried out by Black health leaders
- What primary care teams can do
Prescribing nature: PaRx launches in Ontario

Nature prescriptions were named one of the top 8 global wellness trends in 2019. And it’s no surprise—research shows that kids and adults who spend more time in nature are happier and healthier. Starting with a BC launch in November 2020 to significant media attention (The Globe & Mail, CBC), PaRx is breaking ground as Canada’s first national, evidence-based nature prescription program.
On February 22nd PaRx officially launched in Ontario. Featuring practical resources like quick tips and patient handouts, its goal is to make prescribing time in nature simple, fun and effective.
As part of the Ontario launch, and out of gratitude to health-care workers, the BC Parks Foundation is offering free remote nature therapy sessions led by certified nature therapy guides to all prescribers in March so they can experience the stress-relieving benefits of nature themselves.
Check out www.parkprescriptions.ca for more information on nature prescriptions and to register to become a prescriber.
Member stories
Guelph FHT – 98 doctors write letter encouraging community to get vaccinated
Markham FHT – AFHTO president and Markham FHT Lead MD Dr. Allan Grill on vaccine rollout to 80+ with CP24 and Global News
Six Nations of the Grand River FHT- Six Nations band members can soon preregister for COVID-19 vaccine
Updated provincial testing guidance, workflow, COVID-19 educational series x 2 and more
Recent updates include:
- COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance Update – Ministry of Health, Feb. 17, 2021
- COVID-19 Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance– Ministry of Health, Feb. 18, 2021
- Vaccination Planning – Workplan and Drive-thru – Georgian Bay FHT
- COVID-19 Vaccination Workflow Process – Dr. Pearl Yang, MScStouffville Medical Centre FHO
- COVID-19 vaccination in Canada: an educational series for primary care professionals– self learning series from University of Toronto DFCM and the OCFP
- Covid19 Vaccine Facts – Instagram account by Dr. Amanda Adams, Markham Stouffville Hospital, with answers by Canadian doctors to combat vaccine hesitancy
- COVID Learning Series– free 5-part self-paced learning series- CFPC Learn
- Answering your Questions about the COVID Vaccine– geared to family members of an adult with a developmental disability- H-CARDD
- Enhancing Management of Chronic Conditions Using Virtual Care During COVID-19– CEP, Feb. 18, 2021
We continue to update several pages on our site with resources and news:
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Information
- COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
- COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
- Infection control resources and tools for primary care
- H+K Memos and Insight Notes on Government Press Releases
- Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
- Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
- Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
- Resources for Re-opening
- Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

Primary care virtual groups slides and video available
On Feb. 17 we hosted the webinar Primary Care Virtual Groups – Transitioning a CBT Program & Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Program to Virtual with Arnprior and District FHT and Scarborough Academic FHT. Video and slides are now available.
Humber College Healthcare Management student placements
The Honours Degree, Healthcare Management Bachelor of Commerce program takes the best of business management practices – business law, marketing, microeconomics, financial management, and business research methods- then add the edges: an in-depth study of healthcare issues and systems. Key courses including Population Health, Health Data and Analysis, Health Economics Health Policy and Evaluation and Healthcare Financial Management.
This program equips third year students with the skills required to contribute to your organization with good understanding of the best management practices through the Healthcare Management lens. Additional key courses include Health Informatics, Healthcare Strategy and Markets, Healthcare Systems and Health Services Organization and Management. See their flyer.
Engaging and supporting caregivers in primary care teams: working together to improve outcomes and enhance the patient, caregiver, and family experience, Feb. 25, 2021
Cohosted with Ontario Caregiver Organization, this webinar will highlight resources and opportunities for teams to support and engage caregivers.
Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021, Mar. 4, 2021
Cohosted with Saegis, this webinar discusses the top security threats facing your team and explores best practices to decrease the risk of breaches in the clinic setting. Learn more here.
Atopic dermatitis seminar for healthcare professionals, Mar. 1, 2021
The Eczema Society of Canada and University of Ottawa is hosting this webinar aimed towards primary care providers.
Find out more here.
Personal Resilience for Hospice Palliative Care, Mar. 3, 2021
Learn how to enhance personal resilience during even the most challenging times.
Find out more here.
Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.
Leave a Reply