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AFHTO 2019 Conference: how to come for free

Woman jumping over gap

Let us help you get to the AFHTO 2019 conference. Introducing our referral program! In the spirit of Ontario Health Teams and the potential for increased collaboration they represent, we’d like you to invite your community and partners to experience the conference for themselves and better understand the work you do. All non-members have to […]

AFHTO Bright Lights Awards deadline extended to next Tuesday, July 2 at 10:00 AM

Lake cottage at sunset

Cottage calling? We know. Revised due date to submit a Bright Lights nomination is Tuesday, July 2 at 10:00 AM Nominations are coming in fast and furious but so are the questions. Given the appetite for recognizing your team, colleagues and partners for the awesome work they do, we’re giving everyone a chance to submit […]

AFHTO 2019 Conference: addressing the Premier’s Council recommendations

Premier's council recommendations

  The Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine released its second interim report yesterday. “A Healthy Ontario: Building a Sustainable Health Care System” contains ten policy recommendations from the council to the government, intended to help the government stay on track as it works to improve the health care system. The third […]

Want more eyes on your program or team? Submit a “Bright Lights” nomination!

Marathon CBC profile

Nominate your team, partnership or colleague for a Bright Lights Award and gain your biggest audience ever.   The AFHTO 2019 Conference Awards ceremony, which will be held at lunchtime on September 19, 2019. Open to all attendees at the AFHTO 2019 Conference, this is an audience about three times larger than past awards dinners. […]

AFHTO 2019 Conference: Registration now live

AFHTO 2019 CONFERENCE LOGO

Registration now open for the AFHTO 2019 Conference! Change can come fast and furious, and Ontario’s healthcare system is no exception. With the introduction of Ontario Health Teams, ‘upheaval’ could be considered an understatement. But the fundamentals remain- no matter the structure surrounding them, patients need care. And primary health care teams need to position […]

AFHTO Bright Lights Awards – nominations now open! Only until June 28

Shine a light on your team’s achievements. Nominate an outstanding team or individual for a “Bright Lights” Award by June 28, 2019. AFHTO’s “Bright Lights” Awards recognize AFHTO members’ leadership, outstanding work and the significant progress being made to improve the value interprofessional primary care teams across Ontario deliver. There’s no better time to show […]

Susan Fitzpatrick Named Interim CEO of Ontario Health

On April 24 Christine Elliott, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, announced that Susan Fitzpatrick will assume the role of interim CEO of Ontario Health, the new superagency which will ensure a consistency of care across Ontario. Susan Fitzpatrick was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) in 2015, […]

AFHTO 2019 Conference: JUST ONE WEEK LEFT to submit your abstract

AFHTO 2019 conference logo

The call for Ontario Health Teams has gone out, signaling another phase in a major change to Ontario’s healthcare system. Within a very short span of time the landscape will look very different, so we need to make sure primary health care teams are as prepared as they can be. Colleagues from other health care […]

AFHTO 2019 Conference: we really want you to submit your abstract

AFHTO 2019 conference logo

Are you: A small, rural or Northern team? Helping your patients live healthier lives? Improving your community through effective partnerships and programs? Providing truly integrated care and embodying the patient medical home? Then your peers across the province want to hear from you! Don’t wait to impart your tips and lessons learned to colleagues from […]

AFHTO’s Submission on Bill 74: The People’s Health Care Act, 2019

On April 2 AFHTO presented its submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy on Bill 74: The People’s Health Care Act, 2019. Our key recommendations are: 1. That Bill 74 require primary care to be part of an Ontario Health Team (OHT). It is also recommended that primary care teams be the lead of […]

AFHTO 2019 Conference: submit your presentation & poster abstracts

Beautiful green tree with many-branching roots

It’s time to show everyone what you can do. Present your ideas and initiatives at the AFHTO 2019 Conference:         Health System Integration Built on the Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care ‘Integration’ may be the word of the day, but primary care teams already embody it. Interprofessional comprehensive care creates a patient medical […]

Introducing our revamped website

Doctor examining young boy on table

  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: Individual login for members– now members can register for their own login by clicking on this button at the top of our home page. […]

Powassan and Area FHT officially opens new home

The North Bay Nipissing article published on January 21, 2019 By Laurel J. Campbell Powassan Town Square building gets thumbs up from residents, politicians, medical professionals POWASSAN — Over 100 people toured the new medical clinic during its grand opening on Jan. 18. “This is a wonderful centre,” said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. “Its state-of-the-art technology […]

Essex County NPLC expanding to Amherstburg

The Windsor Star article published on January 15, 2019 By Mary Caton, The Windsor Star Renovations will begin soon on the shuttered St. Bernard’s elementary school in Amherstburg in order to transform part of the building into a new nurse practitioner-led clinic. The town purchased the school from the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board last year […]

Madawaska Valley opens family health team

The Bancroft this Week article published on January 15, 2019 By Chris Drost, Bancroft this Week The waiting area of the new Madawaska Valley Family Health Team was full of smiling faces on Friday, Jan. 11 as dignitaries, physicians and community representatives gathered with staff to celebrate the official ribbon cutting for the new family health […]

Geographic variation in primary care report

Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) has released Geographic Variation in Primary Care Need, Service Use and Providers in Ontario, 2015/16. The maps provide a visual orientation to primary care need, service use, providers and teams, cross-LHIN care and gaps in care across the province. According to the report, “people with low income, recent immigrants […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: want to win $500 towards a Westjet flight or vacation?

Register for the AFHTO 2018 Conference before Oct. 1! Relationship Design with Starfield in Mind October 24 & 25, 2018 – Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario   Summer’s almost over so it’s time to make the most of that back-to-school energy and register for AFHTO’s 2018 Conference. Come see over 800 of your colleagues from […]

Georgian Bay FHT screens patients for poverty to improve health

The Connection article published on August 23, 2018 By John Edwards, Collingwood Connection While the rising cost of living is making it difficult for some in South Georgian Bay to make ends meet, this could have a negative impact on their health “We know poverty is linked to a lot of illness in health,” said Dr. […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: So. Many. Options

 Relationship Design with Starfield in Mind October 24 & 25, 2018 – Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario There are 49 concurrent sessions across six timeslots, including 90-minute sessions. That’s a choice of NINE sessions at a time in a wide range of topics, tailored to primary care! Select topics include: De-prescribing sedative hypnotics Collaboration with […]

Apply now for the 2018 Minister’s Medal – Deadline August 24

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (ministry) has announced the launch of the sixth annual Minister’s Medal Honouring Excellence in Health Quality and Safety. This annual recognition program aims to honour exceptional work across the health system and showcase successes in cross-sector collaboration of health system partners to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across the […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: announcing Jody Gittel as our closing speaker

 Relationship Design with Starfield in Mind October 24 & 25, 2018 – Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario Featuring Jody Hoffer Gittell Executive Director, Founder, Relational Coordination Research Collaborative Transforming Relationships for High Performance – The Power of Relational Coordination Primary care is an essential element of successful systems of care. Yet when people build systems […]

AFHTO Bright Lights Awards: deadline extended to next Monday, July 23 at 10:00 AM

Revised due date to submit a Bright Lights nomination is Monday, July 23 at 10:00 AM Nominations are coming in fast and furious but so are the questions. Given the appetite for recognizing your team, colleagues and partners for the awesome work they do, we’re giving everyone a chance to submit a Bright Lights nomination […]

AFHTO Letter to Minister Elliott

On July 10, 2018 AFHTO’s CEO sent this letter to Ontario’s new Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Deputy Premier, the Honourable Christine Elliott. Extending our sincerest congratulations on her appointment, she also expressed our desire to work with the government in improving healthcare for all Ontarians. Excerpts include: “As one of your government’s […]

Gain your biggest audience ever: submit a “Bright Lights” nomination!

Nominate your team, partnership or colleague for a Bright Lights Award and gain your biggest audience ever. The AFHTO 2018 Conference Awards ceremony will be held at lunchtime on October 24, 2018. This means it’s open to all attendees at the AFHTO 2018 Conference. That’s an audience about three times larger than past awards dinners. […]

New Ontario Government Puts Immunization Reporting Requirements On Hold

On June 20, 2018 Premier-Designate Doug Ford notified OMA that implementation of changes to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) and regulations have been paused. The new reporting requirements would have required family physicians to report immunizations provided to children for nine designated diseases to local public health units starting July 1, 2018. Many providers had […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: Registration now live

Registration now open for the AFHTO 2018 Conference! Relationship Design with Starfield in Mind October 24 & 25, 2018 – Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario Ontario’s health system is ever-changing, but these shifts aren’t always fluid or easy to predict. Each change has the potential for far-reaching implications, but the fundamentals remain- primary health care […]

Thamesview FHT physician receives teaching award

Chatham Daily News article published June 15, 2018 By Daily News Staff A Chatham family physician has been recognized with a prestigious award for her faculty work. Dr. Susan Munro recently received the Schulich Award of Excellence for Faculty in Community/Distributed Sites, from Western University, during an event in London. The award recognizes faculty educators […]

AFHTO, CAMH and Public Health look to prevent opioid problem before it starts

Kingston Whig-Standard article published June 11, 2018 By Steph Crosier, Kingston Whig-Standard Preventing the problem before it starts was one of the themes at a Monday workshop aimed at creating better strategies for opioid stewardship in Kingston. “Only prescribing it when it is indicated, thinking about some of the downsides, talking about tapering people,” Dr. […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: Presentation notifications sent out

Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for concurrent session and poster presentations at the AFHTO 2018 Conference. The working groups have now reviewed all submissions and a notification e-mail has been sent to each contact person. If you are part of a group that has prepared an abstract, please ensure your group contact […]

Six new doctors for Prince Edward FHT

The Intelligencer article published on June 1, 2018 By Luke Hendry, The Intelligencer At a time when many parts of the Quinte region are facing doctor shortages, Prince Edward County is flush. County officials and members of the Prince Edward Family Health Team on Thursday evening introduced six new doctors hired within the last two […]

City of Lakes FHT receives grant to research use of psychoactive drugs

The Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA) has awarded the COLFHT a $50,000 research grant to address inappropriate or overuse of benzodiazepines. NOAMA is the governance organization responsible for administering the Ministry of Health and OMA negotiated NOSM Academic Funding Plan to support the development of new and innovative approaches in health care delivery, and […]

Increased access to primary care in Kapuskasing area

TimminsToday article published on May 4, 2018 TimminsToday staff NEWS RELEASE NORTH EAST LOCAL HEALTH INTEGRATION NETWORK People will have greater access to high-quality health care closer to home thanks to a new team of health care professionals coming to Kapuskasing and a new Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Team that will serve Indigenous Northerners. On […]

2018 Election Advocacy Tools: Every Community. Every Patient.

Ontario’s 42nd provincial election occurred on June 7, 2018, and a majority progressive conservative government was elected. Meeting with the MPP who has been (re)elected in your riding is always a great idea. A meeting is to increase awareness around the importance and value of FHTs and NPLCs, and to advocate for expansions and investments. […]

Province commits $1.2M in funding to expand Burlington FHT

Burlington Post article published May 3, 2018. Article in full pasted below. John Bkila, Burlington Post More health-care professionals are headed to Burlington, thanks to $1.2 million in provincial funding. Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon made the announcement Wednesday, May 2 with the Burlington Family Health Team at the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre, located to […]

Superior FHT weaving care for healthy, happy seniors

SooToday.com article published May 1, 2018. Article in full pasted below. Darren Taylor, SooToday.com Health TAPESTRY program, with a July start date, will aim to address elderly Superior Family Health Team patients health care needs before they worsen Beginning in July, a new program known as Health TAPESTRY will aim to help a group of […]

Two Rivers FHT wins ‘baby-friendly’ status

Cambridge Times article published April 27, 2018. Article in full pasted below. Lisa Rutledge, Cambridge Times L-R- Brittany Patterson, Lactation Consultant, Marge LaSalle, The Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, Kim Lichty, Retired Lactation Consultant, Chris Cassolato, Executive Director, and Kathryn McGarry, MPP for Cambridge (Photo taken by Two Rivers staff) Even before her 11-week-old son Hunter […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: we want you (yes, YOU) to submit your abstract

 “Relationship Design with Starfield in Mind” Are you: A small, rural or Northern team? Helping your patients live healthier lives? Having a tangible effect in your community? Then your peers want to hear from you! Don’t wait to impart your lessons learned, your tips and experiences to colleagues from all across the province under 6 […]

Resources from the Public Services Health & Safety Association

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour (MOL) is conducting safety inspections at Family Health Teams as part of a health care sector enforcement initiative. The goal of these inspections is ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA). The three priority areas of focus are for these inspections are internal responsibility systems, workplace violence, and needle […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: Call for presentation & poster abstracts

You’re doing the work. Each and every day. Now it’s time to share it with everyone.   Present your ideas and initiatives at the AFHTO 2018 Conference: “Relationship Design with Starfield in Mind” Thanks to the 4 Cs of primary care, interprofessional teams are dedicated to providing excellent care for their patients on a daily […]

2018 Ontario Budget – A Plan for Care and Opportunity

2018 Ontario Budget – A Plan for Care and Opportunity An overview of the Ontario government budget Overview Today the Liberal government released their 2018 Ontario Budget entitled “A Plan for Care and Opportunity”. This “health-focused” budget included significant new investments in health care, child care, home care and mental health with a total budget […]

Ministry- FHT contract news and updates

MOHLTC-FHT contracts expired on Mar. 31, 2016. The templates developed to replace them could significantly reshape the relationship FHTs have with the Ministry. The ministry has looked to AFHTO, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, to recommend performance measures aligned with the ministry’s focus on enhancing access/integration and supporting quality and sustainability in primary care. […]

The Emerging Role of Social Work in Primary Health Care: Study

The Emerging Role of Social Work in Primary Health Care: A Survey of Social Workers in Ontario Family Health Teams Article published in Health & Social Work (February 2018) Abstract Primary health care systems are increasingly integrating interprofessional team-based approaches to care delivery. As members of these interprofessional primary health care teams, it is important […]

ARTIC 2018 Call for Proposals

Announcing 2018 Call for Proposals ARTIC Implementation and Spread Funding Health Quality Ontario (HQO) and the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario (CAHO) have announced ARTIC’s 2018 Call for Proposals. Supported by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, ARTIC (Adopting Research to Improve Care)’s goal is to accelerate the spread of evidence-based health care […]

AFHTO 2018 Conference: Sign up to help create the conference program by April 6

Announcing the theme for the AFHTO 2018 Conference Relationship Design with Starfield in Mind Dr. Barbara Starfield was a pioneer in identifying why primary care was so foundational to the health system – we know this as the 4Cs of primary care: CONTINUITY through better relationships, COORDINATION of better transitions, first point of CONTACT into […]

D2D 5.1: Getting Started and Changing Gears

AFHTO members have just released the 7th iteration of their performance measurement report, Data to Decisions 5.1. Voluntary participation in team-level measurement remains high. 90% of members have contributed so far, with over 60% in D2D 5.1. This makes D2D 5.1 a unique picture of primary care across the province, at the LHIN level, and […]

City of Lakes FHT Receives Community Builders Award

On Mar. 1, 2018 City of Lakes FHT was recognized for its contribution to healthcare at Northern Life’s 15th annual Community Builders Awards of Excellence. The award came soon after the team celebrated its 10th anniversary. “What’s happened in the last 10 years, not just locally but across the province, there’s been a transformation,” says […]

Central Lambton FHT & St. Clair Child and Youth Invest in Mental Health

Central Lambton Family Health Team getting help from St. Clair Child and Youth Services Sarnia Observer article published Feb. 28, 2018. Article in full pasted below. Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer Petrolia is getting more staffing for a deluge of youngsters seeking mental health help. Demand among youth – mostly 8-16-year-olds – had spiked over the […]

City of Lakes FHT: A decade of making a difference

A decade of making a difference: City of Lakes Family Health Team marks a milestone Sudbury.com article published Feb. 21, 2018. Article in full pasted below. Heidi Ulrichsen, Sudbury.com Thanks for saving my life. That’s the message one woman recently wanted to convey to the City of Lakes Family Health Team, which provides primary care […]

AFHTO’s 2018 Pre-Budget Submission

AFHTO submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Finance in February 2018, calling on the government to strengthen primary care so that it can deliver on its commitments outlined in the Patients First Act and ensure all Ontarians receive access to high quality, comprehensive, interprofessional team-based primary care. Key recommendations include: Increase access to Interprofessional team-based […]

Timmins FHT physician pleased with geriatric clinic collaboration

COLUMN: Timmins doctor pleased with partnership Timmins Press article published Jan. 30, 2018. Article in full pasted below. Dr. Yves Raymond TIMMINS – It’s well known that Northeastern Ontario has an aging population and that this poses a challenge for health care services across our region. I’ve seen first-hand how it is possible to “get ahead of […]

Patients First news and updates

On Dec. 7, 2016 Ontario’s government passed Bill 41: the Patients First Act, 2016. With many changes to the health care system, including the role of LHINs and development of subregions, implementation will likely continue for several years. Please see below for updates relevant to primary care. Updates: Patients First Primary Care RD Capacity Planning – […]

Kincardine FHT certified as a GREAT WORKPLACE

Kincardine FHT has been certified as a GREAT WORKPLACE after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work® Canada. This certification is based on direct feedback from employees, provided as part of an extensive and anonymous survey about the workplace experience. Gerry Glover, Chief Executive Officer of the Family Health Team said […]

Niagara North FHT to Collaborate in Health Tapestry Program

Niagara North FHT to Collaborate in Health Tapestry Program The Standard Article published December 12, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Suzanne Mason, The Standard Niagara-on-the-Lake has been chosen as the sixth site in Ontario to participate in the Health Tapestry program that assists people aged 70 and older stay healthy longer and remain in […]

Inner City FHT & Partners Receive More Funding for Housing Project for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

As of November 1, the Bridges to Housing (B2H) project received expanded funding to continue identifying and supporting persons with developmental disabilities (DD) experiencing homelessness. In 2015, the City of Toronto, Inner City FHT and Community Living Toronto were awarded nearly one million dollars, recommended by the Developmental Disability Housing Task Force, a cross-sector group […]

MOHLTC Inviting Applications for New Midwifery Programs

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Association of Ontario Midwives are inviting applications for two new programs that have been introduced with a special focus on access, choice, and addressing health inequities: Indigenous Midwifery Programs are designed to enhance culturally safe midwifery care and traditional services for expectant families in Indigenous communities. […]

Clinton FHT Invites Community for Weekly Walking on Wednesdays

Clinton Newsrecord article published November 21, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Sheila Pritchard, Clinton Newsrecord The Clinton Family Health Team would like to invite the community to get active and have some fun with them on Wednesdays at noon at the Central Huron Community Complex walking track. Join two health specialists from the Team, […]

Interprofessional Medication Management in Patients With Multiple Morbidities

Published in Deutsch Aerzteblatt-International, November 2016 [English version] Abstract Background: Medication reviews and medication management are being used more and more around the world to improve medication safety. Both of these tools were originally conceived as pharmaceutical care activities and have recently been developed into interdisciplinary approaches. We studied the efficacy of interprofessional medication management for multimorbid patients that takes their […]

Brighton-Quinte, Trent Hills, and Northumberland FHTs Receive Provincial Investment

Inside Belleville article published November 10, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Sarah Hyatt, Brighton Independent Brighton — Ontario’s 2017 investments in interprofessional care were in the spotlight last week, as Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi made a stop at the Brighton Health Services Centre on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The province has committed more funds […]

AFHTO members to be recognised in 2017 OCFP Awards

AFHTO congratulates Sherbourne Health Centre FHT and physicians in our member family health teams who will be recognized on Thursday, November 23, 2017 at the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) 2017 Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to all those recognized this year: Dr.  Michael Lee-Poy of The Centre for Family Medicine FHT, named 2017 Reg. L […]

The Centre for Family Medicine FHT Awarded REACH Funding

Congratulations to The Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team eHealth Centre for Excellence, one of six successful public healthcare service provider organizations receiving the second round of REACH funding. REACH is a grant funding program delivered by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) on behalf of Ontario’s Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. The […]

Niagara North FHT Supports Intergenerational Community Cooking Classes

Niagara Advance article published November 3, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Penny Coles, Niagara Advance Cooking classes at the Niagara-on-the-Lake community centre are bringing youth and seniors together to learn about healthy meals. Let’s Cook Together is a continuation of a successful program that took place last year at the community centre, paid for […]

Rapids FHT and Partners Form Lambton County Drug Strategy

The Sarnia Journal article published October 29, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Troy Shantz, The Sarnia Journal The numbers are staggering. Last year, 1,326 residents of Sarnia-Lambton were prescribed an opioid for pain. That’s one in six. Another 1,326 people — one in every 93 people living in Sarnia-Lambton — were treated for an […]

Announcing the Bright Lights 2017 Award Winners

AFHTO has named the winners of our annual Bright Lights Awards. These innovators have improved primary care by making the most of their resources, strengthening interprofessional collaboration, and building strong partnerships beyond their walls. This has resulted in better patient outcomes, better access, and better experience of care. Review committees made up of AFHTO members […]

Manitoulin Central FHT Physician Awarded Associated Medical Services (AMS) Phoenix Fellowship

The Manitoulin Expositor article published October 20, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Expositor Staff, The Manitoulin Expositor MINDEMOYA—A Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) faculty member who works at the Manitoulin Central Family Health Team and Manitoulin Health Centre in Mindemoya, Dr. Frances Kilbertus, is among six distinguished educators to receive a 2017 Associated […]

Premier Kathleen Wynne Grants Georgina’s NPLC $1.63 million

York Region article published October 18, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Heidi Riedner, Georgina Advocate Dressed appropriately in a liberal swath of red, Premier Kathleen Wynne paid a visit to Georgina’s nurse practitioner-led clinic to deliver a $1.63 million grant that will help meet the demand for local health care. “Everyone here supports and […]

AFHTO 2017 Conference: Tips for your arrival and stay

Planning your Conference Experience Sharing your Conference Experience Hotel Registration & Directions It’s now less than one week to the AFHTO 2017 Conference on October 17 & 18! We look forward to seeing you all as we welcome over 800 delegates from around the province. To ensure a smooth experience, please see below for some […]

2017 Annual Report – Improving Primary Health Care Together

This year, AFHTO engaged in a strategic planning exercise that led to the development of a new strategic plan with a new shared vision – High quality, sustainable, team-based primary health care. In the last few years AFHTO and its members have worked hard in supporting, measuring, and promoting the value of well-integrated interprofessional primary care, […]

Pharmacists Managing People with Diabetes in Primary Care: 10 Years of Experience at the Hamilton Family Health Team

Article published in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes (in press September 2017). Abstract Currently known: Pharmacist interventions can have a positive impact on the clinical outcomes of patients who have diabetes. New information: Primary Care Family Health Teams can be an excellent setting for pharmacists interested in providing collaborative diabetes care and to practice to […]

Algonquin FHT Physician-Pharmacist Team the First to Use E-Prescription Software

Muskoka Region article published October 2, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Alison Brownlee, Huntsville Forester MUSKOKA — Muskoka has kick-started the end of the paper-based medical prescription era across Canada. Dr. David Mathies and Dr. Caroline Correia, who are Algonquin Family Health Team members, and Bill Coon, owner and pharmacist at Muskoka Medical Centre […]

D2D 5.0: Demonstrating the value of primary care teams – AGAIN!

D2D 5.0 healthcare cost graph

The results are in for D2D 5.0. As usual, AFHTO members have full access to all the data through the interactive report. A summary of performance at the province and LHIN levels is available on AFHTO’s public web page. Some of the highlights from this most recent release of D2D are listed below. The good […]

Guelph FHT and Partners Open New Rapid Access Addiction Clinic

The Record article published September 20, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Johanna Weidner, Waterloo Region Record Guelph has a new rapid access addiction clinic, the first of its kind in the area. While it officially opens Friday, the clinic has been providing treatment and support to people struggling with addiction since June. “Regularly, the […]

AFHTO 2017 Conference: join Dr. Jeremy Petch & André Picard at Bright Lights Reception; early bird closes Oct. 2!

Don’t miss out! Early-bird registration closes on October 2, 2017. Register an individual or team for the conference Early-bird registration closes October 2, 2017. Members receive a 50% discount on registration. Concurrent session speakers and planning committee members are also eligible for additional discounts Find out more about registration fees and discounts Reserve a room […]

Three Draft Quality Standards Related to Opioids Available for Feedback

To help tackle the growing opioid problem, Health Quality Ontario is developing three sets of quality standards. The first one outlines for patients and clinicians what quality care looks like for adults and adolescents with opioid use disorder and the other two provide guidance on prescribing opioids for the management of chronic and acute pain. […]

Inner City FHT Mix Cooking and Community in Life Skills Program

Toronto Star article published September 14, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Emily Mathieu, Housing Reporter It is mid-morning in a packed upstairs kitchen at The 519 community centre and Kristen Ireland is brandishing an eggplant and making upbeat and practiced demands. “Somebody has got to cut the eggplant,” she declares, before flipping the tubular […]

Rapid FHT and Partners Launch Pilot Community Paramedicine Program

Lambton Shield article published August 31, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Editorial Staff, Lambton Shield Patients in Sarnia Lambton who have been pre-identified as frequent 911 callers and Emergency Department patients, are now able to access proactive, non-emergency care through the Community Paramedicine Program. The pilot program, expected to run until March 2018, is […]

Breaking news about support for opioid management

Help is coming soon for teams interested in doing more for their patients with pain and/or addictions and, at the same time, managing opioid use. See recent investment by MOHLTC in a project led by CAMH, which acknowledges the crucial role that primary care providers play in addressing the opioid challenge. This investment builds on […]

Central Lambton FHT Empowers Locals with Lung Health Education Program

The Petrolia Topic article published August 22, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Melissa Shilz, Postmedia Network Hot summer months can spell trouble for those suffering from breathing difficulties, and the Central Lambton Family Health Team wanted to do something to help. They began their monthly Lung Health Education Program in July. Certified Respiratory Educator […]

Peterborough FHT and Partners Receive Funding for Gender Diverse Support Program

Global News article published August 17, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Jeanne Pengelly, Global  News People journeying through gender issues will have access to a popular support program this fall that had been cancelled in March 2017 due to lack of funding. The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge says a […]

Welland McMaster FHT Guides Healing through Forest Therapy

St. Catharines Standard article published August 9, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Cheryl Clock, St. Catharines Standard The women follow a narrow dirt path into a community of towering white pine trees. The pin-straight trunks, bare lower to the ground, erupt like green fireworks exploding into a blue sky. The group is slow, deliberate, […]

Access to family physicians varies widely across the province according to ICES report

According to a recently released report by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), there is an uneven distribution of family physicians across the province that’s impacting Ontarians’ access to health care. The report, Geographic Variation in the Supply and Distribution of Comprehensive Primary Care Physicians in Ontario, “uses specialized techniques to produce maps without […]

Kawartha North FHT Awarded Ontario Trillium Grant

Congratulations to Kawartha North FHT for earning an Ontario Trillium Grant over an 11-month period (August 2017 to July 2018) to build inclusive and engaged communities in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County that tackle poverty reduction. This work continues the efforts of a joint Poverty Reduction Strategy Action Plan supported by the […]

Five Things You Need to Know About Family Health Team Pharmacists

Published in the Ontario Pharmacist magazine, Vol. 81, Issue 2, 2017, click here for the full article. By: Heather Hadden, BScPhm, ACPR, RPH and Suzanne Singh, BScPhm, ACPR, PharmD, RPH While patients typically encounter pharmacists at their local commu­nity pharmacy, or at the hospital if admitted with an acute ill­ness, it is increasingly important that patients […]

Public Health within an Integrated Health System – Primary Care & Public Health Collaboration

Expert Panel Report: Public Health Within an Integrated Health System Patients First legislation includes a requirement for the public health sector and the province’s local health integration networks (LHINs) to work together to reduce health disparities and improve access to health care services. The Government of Ontario established the Expert Panel on Public Health (“Expert Panel”) in […]

Patients Struggling with Opioid Addictions Should Be Treated in Primary Care Settings

CTV News Article published July 19, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Sheryl Ubelacker, The Canadian Press TORONTO – A small proportion of Ontario doctors who treat people battling opioid addictions prescribe the majority of the medications used to treat the disorder, a study has found, raising concerns about the quality of patient care and […]

Central Lambton FHT and Partners Expand Funding for Inwood Kids Program

The Petrolia Topic article published July 18, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Melissa Shilz, Postmedia Network This summer marks the fifth year of the Inwood Kids Program, a rural summer camp run through the Central Lambton Family Health Team and other partners like the Oil Heritage District Community Centre. The program has something for […]