Arnprior & District FHT, VTAC and COVID-19 vaccination drive through clinics
Arnprior & District Family Health Team continues to support COVID-19 efforts April 23, 2021 – Arnprior & District Family Health Team (ADFHT) has been hard at work supporting local residents in addressing their needs as a result of the pandemic. ADFHT is one of the key partner organizations taking the administrative lead in […]
April 27th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
In This Issue: Introduction including Ontario Science Table brief Responding to Patient Concerns About the AstraZeneca Vaccine Message from Ontario Health (Cancer Care) – Guidance for Primary Care & General Medical Imaging for Vaccine-related Adenopathy COVaxON Primary Care Community of Practice New and Updated Resources Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an […]
Bits & Pieces: respiratory care during COVID-19, Stay-at-Home order and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Respiratory care during COVID-19: what have we learned one year later, Apr. 21 Ontario needs a Stay-at-Home order Member stories Lessons learned from KFLA Moderna community vaccination clinics and more UpToDate discount reminder Evaluation and performance improvement for OHTs CoP and webinar Upcoming events including improving […]
Ontario needs a Stay-at-Home order
Ontario needs a Stay-at-Home order, community vaccination plans, and paid sick leave for ALL workers to stop spread of COVID-19 variants, reduce the burden on health care TORONTO – April 6, 2021 – Amid an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Primary Care Collaborative shares concerns expressed by the Ontario Hospital Association, […]
April 5th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
In This Issue: Vaccinating in Primary Care COVaxON Primary Care Community of Practice COVID@Home Monitoring for Primary Care Provincial Antigen Screening Program COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility EMR Searches COVID-19 Learning Opportunities New Resources Relevant Ministry Guidance Documents for Primary Care Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care […]
Joint Letter on Vaccine dose intervals for Indigenous populations
To: Premier Doug Ford Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier, Minster of Health Cc: Dr. Dirk Huyer, Coordinator, Provincial Outbreak Response Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Re: Changes to dosing schedule for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution to Urban Indigenous populations March 26, 2021 Dear Premier Ford and Minister […]
Joint Letter on Ensuring Equity in Ontario’s Vaccination Campaign
March 1, 2021 To: Premier Doug Ford Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier, Minister of Health Cc: General (Ret.) Rick Hillier, COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force Dr. Dirk Huyer, Coordinator, Provincial Outbreak Response Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health Alison Blair, Associate Deputy Minister, Pandemic Response and Recovery Patrick Dicerni, Assistant Deputy Minister Nadia Surani, […]
Potential Transfers to Ontario Health
Sent on Behalf of Matthew Anderson, President & CEO, Ontario Health To: All Team Members From: Matthew Anderson, President and CEO, Ontario Health Date: December 10, 2020 Re: Potential Transfers to Ontario Health As part of our ongoing commitment to keep you informed of organizational transformation efforts, provided here is an update on the discussions […]
Bits & Pieces: apply for messaging pilots, free registration for legal webinars and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Teams can apply for messaging pilots Enter to win free registration to Legal Issues for Primary Care Teams series Mental Health Works modules available from CMHA Ontario Urgent need for physio student placement Quality standard placemats- low back pain and osteoarthritis Recommendations for resuming spirometry, Supply […]
Social prescribing: The next step for equitable healthcare
Healthy Debate opinion piece by Kate Mulligan and Kavita Mehta The data are in: people living with racism, low incomes and crowded housing are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The attention it has drawn to these inequities has healthcare providers re-examining their practices with respect to virtual care, active outreach and health equity. However, […]
Essex County NPLC receives COVID-19 grant to improve access to technology and enhanced digital services
The Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (ECNPLC) enhancing digital services to meet community needs. Essex County NPLC has received grant funding from the Canadian Red Cross, through the COVID-19 Emergency Support for Community Organizations Granting Program, to improve access to technology and enhanced digital services. The grant supports the Windsor Essex Health Program (WE Health). […]
QI in Action eBulletin #99: Capturing Primary Care’s Response to COVID-19
In this Issue: Primary Care Patient/Client Experience Virtual Care Survey Responding to COVID-19: Understanding How Primary Care Teams Stepped up to Help Support Their Communities and Patients IHP Experience During the Early Phase of COVID-19 Upcoming Virtual Events Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey The rapid adoption of virtual care during the pandemic […]
Update from the Primary Health Care Branch, transitions to a new normal, PPE, virtual care, and HR updates
This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. Dear triad members, We held our fifth round of regional ED calls on June 29 and 30. We’ve been holding these calls since March, and we will be pausing them for the summer as people break and prepare for […]
Bits & Pieces: members win Future Innovator Awards, AFHTO directors needed & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Members win Future Innovator Awards Reminder – nominations to the AFHTO Board of Directors open until July 3, 2020 Governance and leadership tools, resources and supports Updated memo from OH, free phone outreach support for older adults and other updates AFHTO’s Submission on Bill 175 – […]
Bits & Pieces: patient engagement in FHTs case studies, free iCBT & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Patient and family engagement in primary care case studies Free internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programs Are teams in scope for the PPE Data Collection/ CSE Survey? Team-based care supporting patient communities through COVID-19 slides and recording New resources for re-opening, stress, grief, and bereavement support and […]
Bits & Pieces: Dr. Rueben Devlin, June 11 webinar, COVID-19 Innovation grants & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Dr. Rueben Devlin, Chair of the Premier’s Council, has passed Team based care supporting patient communities through COVID-19 webinar COVID-19 Innovation grant program Member renewal – you can now send in your cheques! COVID-19 in Ontario – A Focus on Diversity: Public Health Ontario report Phase […]
Transitions to a new normal, PPE, virtual care, and HR updates
This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. Dear triad members, AFHTO’s Leadership Council met on June 3, and executive directors joined our fourth round of regional ED calls on June 1 and 2. This communique is in follow-up to those meetings. Below is information on the […]
QI in Action eBulletin #98: Team-Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19
In this Issue: Team Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Webinar Virtual Visits: Beginning to End Q&A Document QI Resources Team-Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Webinar On June 11, 2020 (12-1pm EST) AFHTO, in collaboration with 3 primary care teams, will be hosting a webinar to share initiatives teams are currently doing […]
Bits & Pieces: virtual visits webinar materials, members’ stories & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Virtual Visits: Beginning to End webinar materials now available Members’ stories Operational requirements for health sector restart and more Questions Are the Answer- patient tips and tools Educational supports for IPAC -Toronto region Research participant recruitment – concussion telerehabilitation study Upcoming events regarding mental health and […]
Follow-up to ED calls, May 12 and 13 – PPE, virtual care, and HR updates
This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. Thank you to all the executive directors who joined our third round of regional ED calls last week. This email is a follow-up to provide the information promised during the calls, as well as other updates and supports, including […]
Bits & Pieces: members’ COVID-19 initiatives, updated case definition & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue ICYMI- members’ COVID-19 initiatives and vulnerable patient outreach queries World Family Doctor Day Videos for the pandemic from Niagara North FHT for patients and providers Members’ stories Updated case definition, symptom, and screening documents for COVID-19 Call for abstracts- Virtual ADHD Research Day Upcoming events including […]
QI in Action eBulletin #97: Quality Improvement on the Go
In this Issue: Team Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Quality Improvement in Primary Care Council Updates Primary Care Practice Reports Upcoming Webinars Team-Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Primary care continues to step up and ensure our patients get the care they need. From the beginning of this pandemic to now […]
AFHTO partners with Ontario Psychological Association and others to improve access to psychological services for front lines during COVID-19
Ontario Psychological Association Partners with the Ontario College of Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario and the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario to improve access to psychological services for front lines during COVID-19 Ontario Psychological Association News release (Toronto, ON) May 12th, 2020 – In response to Ontario’s growing mental health crisis, […]
Bits & Pieces: Virtual Visits – Beginning to End webinar May 20, Nursing Week & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Virtual Visits – Beginning to End webinar National Nursing Week East GTA FHT NP to receive award today Members’ stories, including a musical interlude Resuming scheduled surgeries and procedures and more eReferral to BounceBack Sharing your innovative initiative CAMH COVID-19 discussion forum and app Upcoming events […]
Follow-up from ED calls, April 21 – 22 and more
This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. Dear triad members, Thank you to all the executive directors who joined our second round of regional ED calls last week. It’s proving helpful to hear what is working well, how you are managing the challenges you’re facing, and […]
An Open Letter from AFHTO, NPAO and the OCFP on PPE in Primary Care During COVID-19
April 15, 2020 An open letter regarding PPE in Primary Care during COVID-19 was released today from the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO), Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO) and the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP). On behalf of our members – who are caring for patients in communities across Ontario […]
How Lakelands FHT Handled a Positive COVID-19 Result At Their Clinic
As told by Dr. Matt Dumas, Lead Physician, Lakelands FHT* In late March, Lakelands FHT discovered that there was a positive case at our Northbrook site. That resulted in the immediate closure of our building. We all had to go home and finish 14 day periods of self-isolation. To our surprise, this meant having to […]
Follow-Up from March 27th webinar, Qs and As from the Ministry and Clarity on PPE Questions from MEOC
This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. Dear triad members, Thank you to all the executive directors who were able to join our regional calls earlier this week. We were pleased to hear how well many of you are doing, and to hear how we […]
HR, privacy and risk management during the COVID-19 pandemic- webinar
This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. HR, privacy and risk management during the COVID-19 pandemic –Mar. 27 webinar These are uncertain times and the way we are now practicing primary care has changed dramatically in the last few weeks. As we move towards more […]
Bits & Pieces: new COVID-19 guidance for primary care; COVID-19, HR, privacy & risk webinar & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue COVID-19 guidance for primary care HR, privacy and risk management during the COVID-19 pandemic – Mar. 27 webinar Reorganizing COVID-19 resources on our site Shift to Virtual Care-Primary care response to COVID-19 Early lessons: tackling a global crisis with a community response Member renewal payments-hold cheques […]
Update on COVID-19 and Moving Towards More Virtual Care
This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. These are challenging times and we really appreciate the phenomenal care that is being provided by everyone working in team-based primary care and in health care. As the foundation of the health care system, your relationships with your patients […]
Bits & Pieces: ON state of emergency, COVID-19 updates & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Ontario declares state of emergency COVID-19 updates including memo Selecting an IPAC representative Virtual visit billing codes, PPE recommendations & steps to reduce spread Members’ stories Registration now open for Project ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network (OBN) series starting April 2, 2020 NPAO Patient Choice Award Upcoming […]
Ontario Government Announces Changes to Home and Community Care
Ministry of Health news release background- Feb. 25, 2020 Ontario is modernizing home and community care services to enable the introduction of integrated and innovative models of care. Since its initial introduction, the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994 and the delivery model it supports have not kept pace with a number of changing […]
Bits & Pieces: prescriptions are for more than just drugs, new location & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Prescriptions are for more than just drugs Our new location Novel coronavirus updates including Q & A on personal protective equipment supply Reminder- Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20 Lung cancer screening for people at high risk The Promise of Virtual Care […]
Prescriptions are for more than just drugs
Prescriptions are for more than just drugs. Ontario Health Teams should use ‘social prescribing’ to improve our health and wellbeing. Healthy Debate opinion piece by Kate Mulligan and Kavita Mehta Most of the conversation about ending hallway health care in Ontario has focused on the back door of the hospital – moving people out of […]
QI in Action eBulletin #94: Quality and Measurement New Beginnings
In this issue Moving Forward with AFHTO’s Quality Agenda Formation of the Quality Improvement in Primary Care Council Mental Health and Addictions Support Support for Teams Tools and Resources (including standardized EMR queries) Webinar videos and slides (including opioid stewardship) Workshops, events and presentations (including focus on follow up) Upcoming Webinars Moving Forward with AFHTO’s […]
Bits & Pieces: In year reconciliation materials, mental health and addiction QI collaborative webinar & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue In-year reconciliation deadline webcast slides and video Mental health and addiction QI collaborative webinar Increasing access to patients through virtual care visits slides and video Measuring Up 2019 The Unnecessary Conference – Choosing Wisely Canada’s National Meeting Opportunity with Geriatric Mental Health Education Network on Jan […]
QI in Action eBulletin #92: How Can Teams Help Meet The E-Service Needs of Patients?
In this issue What are Patients’ E-service Needs? Prescription Renewals Consult with any Healthcare Provider Online (Email, Virtual Visits, etc.) Specialist Referral Confirmations and Notifications How have Other Teams Implemented Digital Health Tools? Digital Health Week and the QIDS-Essential Summary Resources Upcoming Webinars and Conferences What are Patients’ E-service Needs? […]
Bits & Pieces: Digital health toolbox and virtual care webinars & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Digital health toolbox webinar Nov. 28 Increasing access to patients through virtual care visits webinar Dec. 10 Members’ stories QIDS-ESSENTIAL: the making & meaning of the Quality Improvement Decision Support program Happy Nurse Practitioner Week Primary Care Virtual Community Upcoming events on Digital health and technology […]
Bits & Pieces: Focus on City of Lakes FHT, members in the media & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In this Issue: Focus on City of Lakes FHT Youth Opportunities Fund registration deadline Oct. 9 Executive Director OHT Mentorship Program Members in the media Collaborative Governance workshop slides Ontario Health Team digital supports Call to create transition fund to support patient medical homes in primary care Call for […]
Bits & Pieces: OHT current state survey, Health Canada funding opportunity & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In this Issue: OHT current state survey Health Canada/PHAC funding on substance use Hotel group rate deadline Aug. 19 Reminder- call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization Deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council is July 31 Ministry response on budget adjustments CPSO consultations on draft […]
Bits & Pieces: join the IHP Advisory Council, free conference registration & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In this Issue: Join our IHP Advisory Council! Call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization How to come to the conference for free IHP Session Leads needed Considerations for Primary Care Teams as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, July 17 Senior Friendly Care Learning Series Ebola Virus Disease readiness […]
Peterborough FHT collaboration: Virtual care clinic opens for patients without doctors or NPs
The Examiner article published on August 21, 2018 By Jessica Nyznik, The Examiner A new virtual care clinic for residents without a doctor opens Wednesday on King St. The Peterborough Virtual Care Clinic is on the fifth floor of Jackson Square at 185 King St. It’s for patients who don’t have access to a family […]
Primary Care input needed on interface with child and youth mental health services
Many families first attempt to access child and youth mental health care through you; their family doctor, pediatrician, walk-in clinic or hospital emergency department. Primary care professionals often report feeling ill-equipped to manage child and youth mental health concerns. To further complicate matters, community-based child and youth mental health services typically have limited funding and […]
FHTs lead to improved diabetes care / Auditor’s report on CCACs
Two important reports were released in this past week: CMAJ published evidence that the combination of physician payment reform and team-based care led to improved diabetes care. “Our study suggests that Ontarians might be healthier if everyone had access to team-based care” said lead author Dr. Tara Kiran of St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT. Click […]
Minister’s Year Two Progress Report / Valuing comprehensive interprofessional primary care
Today the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care presented her Year Two Progress Report on achievements in implementing Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care. The key piece for AFHTO members is the second of the Plan’s three goals – Faster access and a stronger link to family health care. The Minister’s presentation to the Empire […]
Ontario Heart Failure Strategy: Invitation to complete survey
Forwarded on behalf of Cardiac Care Network of Ontario: In the next few months, the Cardiac Care Network of Ontario (CCN) will be releasing the Ontario Heart Failure Strategy. With no cohesive provincial approach to managing heart failure (HF), the current system of care is fragmented with patients often falling through the cracks during transitions […]
AFHTO 2012 Conference – Improving the Patient’s Experience of Care
The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Seniors Serving Seniors – Using Focus Groups to Inform Programming Respecting our Patients and Each Other – a Customer Service Approach Champagne Club – Assessing Excellence in Customer Service at an Academic Family Health Team Evaluating the impact of two different forms of diabetes […]
AFHTO 2012 Conference – The Triple Aim in FHTs – Better Care, Better Health, Better Value
The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Improving Processes Together: Co-design with Seniors, Caregivers, and Clinicians Building a House Calls Practice: The Key Features and Processes of an Integrated Home-Based Primary Care Model Implementation of the Asthma Action Plan to improve asthma control, quality of life and reduce hospital visits Medical […]
AFHTO 2012 Conference – Access and Capacity
The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Do inter-professional practices have a higher capacity to care for patients? The effect of panel size on quality of care across primary care models How do FHTs compare? Characterizing family health teams and their performance in Ontario Capacity of Care in the Family Health […]
AFHTO 2012 Conference – Meeting Needs of Special Populations
The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Caring for patients with severe physical challenges “Speak Freely”: Counselling Drop in Clinic for Teens Developing a Patient-centred Primary Care Model for Vulnerable Older Adults How can Family Health Teams promote the health of people with developmental disabilities?: Practical steps that Teams can implement […]
Link to resources on improving access to care
Please find below toolkits and resources to support FHTs with improving access to care: Health Quality Ontario (HQO) – Supporting QI in Primary Care Advanced Access and Efficiency Workbook for Primary Care (English)
First time release of data from 5-year FHT evaluation study
The first set of data from the Ministry-sponsored five-year FHT evaluation study was released last week to 118 FHTs. These FHTs had participated in at least one of three 2009 surveys – facility, patient, and provider – conducted by the Conference Board of Canada evaluation team. In 2009, the 134 FHTs in waves 1 […]
Changes to services system for adults with developmental disabilities
Patients with developmental disabilities or their caregivers may ask FHTs about changes in the collection of personal information and/or how it may affect their services. Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) recently launched a province wide database to collect, store and access service information for adults with developmental delays. Service providers across the province have been asked […]
Central Intake Triage
2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Dr. Kathleen Brooks, M.D., FRCP (C); Mary Jane McDowell, MSW FHT/ORG: Prince Edward FHT ABSTRACT: Within the services offered by the Prince Edward Family Team nowhere is critical decision making more important than at the point of entry to our mental health system. At a time when demand for […]
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
Resources to assist FHTs in meeting requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) The purpose of the AODA legislation is to create an accessible Ontario for persons with disabilities by 2025 through provincial accessibility standards which improve access by identifying, removing, improving and preventing barriers. Under this act, the following Standards […]
Improving access to care in the academic family health team
The big challenge in family practices within academic settings is, how do you match a naturally variable demand to a highly artificially variable supply. How do you connect the patients to that ever moving supply? The connection could be called or labeled continuity. So do you want continuity to a group (and no delays) or […]
The Virtual Ward
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference describes the Virtual Ward – a method of providing the support of a hospital ward but in the patient’s home environment. It provides care to the most medically and socially complex patients in their home setting along with multidisciplinary case management. The SETFHT Virtual Ward is for […]
Store Forward Dermatology Program Improves Access
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference demonstrates how Store Forward technology has been used to address a large service gap for dermatological consult services in the Kingston area. Patients had been facing a 12-14 month wait for a specialist appointment. Store Forward technology, a subsection of the Ontario Telemedicine Network, has allowed the […]
Mobility Clinic – Primary Care Accessibility Project for People with Mobility Issues
Significant health care gaps exist for individuals with mobility impairments. Although they have similar basic health care needs as the general population, this group (persons with spinal cord and head injuries, neurological and musculoskeletal impairments) are less likely to receive the same level of basic preventative care. This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference […]
Improving Access to Mental Care
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference reviews a number of capacity building mental health initiatives geared to improve access to mental health assessments and interventions in primary care. A brief presentation of a number of innovative initiatives and outcomes will be provided. This will allow the audience, in a short time, to become […]
Best Gift of All – Newborn Baby Program
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference describes a partnership with the hospital to roster unaffiliated newborn babies and provide a nurse-led postpartum service for those mothers and babies within 3 days of discharge. The presentation includes the process flow for interface with hospital, outcome study for first 35 babies, linkage with public health […]