Bits & Pieces: create AFHTO 2024 Conference and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue AFHTO 2024 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by April 26 Member stories AFHTO input on proposed new regulation for OHTs Social Prescribing in Ontario Presentation video and materials available News and updates including our letter to the Minister of Health on the 2024 Ontario […]
Bill 124 and OHT proposed regulations feedback
Bill 124 Dear Board Chairs, EDs/Admin Leads and Lead Clinicians, As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of recruitment and retention, it’s crucial for us to stay informed about the impacts of legislative changes on teams. With the recent repeal of Bill 124, we’re eager to hear from you about how this development has […]
Ministry Communications Toolkit, OCFP Resources and Science Table Brief on Primary Care Webinar
Dear Members, As we move into another fall season where we are seeing hospital emergency department surges due to an increase in respiratory viral illnesses in Ontario, it’s even more critical to ensure everyone gets their flu shot and stays up to date on their COVID19 booster shots. Flu shots for the general public should […]
Bits & Pieces: mental health week, updated Directive #2 Q&A, phase 2 prioritization and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Mental Health Week Member stories Updated Directive #2 Q&A, phase 2 prioritization, supporting patients with IDD and more Reminder- EMR/EHR Auditing Obligations, May 7, 2021 Free seated desk yoga, May 12 Mask removal rules for the lunchroom Seeking input on an occupational medicine mentoring program curriculum […]
AFHTO response to public health modernization
As government undergoes public health modernization, AFHTO is pleased to provide a few recommendations to better align primary care with public health. Together with government, we will build more coordinated, integrated and person-centered health care for the people of Ontario. Strengthen the relationship between primary care and public health to better align with health system […]
Provincial Policy Manual for Primary Care Teams and Practices
We are pleased to share the Provincial Policy Manual developed for primary care. The policy templates can be used by primary care teams across the province or by other primary care practices (solo physicians and non-team based clinics). The manual gives you the flexibility to determine, for your own practice or setting, what policies are […]
Report on behalf of the Primary Health Care Expert Advisory Committee
Dear AFHTO members: As you see below, Minister Hoskins has released the Report on behalf of the Primary Health Care Expert Advisory Committee and invited feedback. With the AFHTO Conference less than two weeks away, we have a ripe opportunity to engage members in developing AFHTO’s response. AFHTO staff and the AFHTO board executive are […]
Forging Ahead: AFHTO members preparing for next stage of primary care evolution
Government announcements are anticipated in early September. This email summarizes priorities for AFHTO, set through the ED Advisory Council (interview results and July 28th meeting), Physician Leadership Council (July 30th meeting) and AFHTO Board (August 12th). In light of government’s communications to date, the 5 priorities identified for AFHTO were: Developing and strengthening relationships with […]
Letter from President: AFHTO submission to Minister on optimizing the value of team-based primary care
Dear board chairs, EDs and Lead MDs/NPs of AFHTO-member organizations: I am forwarding to you the briefing note AFHTO has produced to inform the Minister and ministry’s thinking as they develop plans for moving toward “comprehensive regionally governed, population-based primary health services for Ontarians.” True to our mission to work with and on behalf of […]
MOHLTC letter on changes to Managed Entry process and list of areas of high physician need
The information below from the ministry was forwarded to Board chairs, EDs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations. Letter on changes to Managed Entry process from Assistant Deputy Minister to Angie Heydon Changes to Entry into FHOs and FHNs- Q & A List of Areas of High Physician Need
2015 Ontario Budget: What it means for AFHTO members
April 23 – The Minister of Finance released the 2015 Ontario Budget, providing a blueprint for government spending for the 2015-2016 fiscal year Retention and recruitment in primary care AFHTO attended the budget lock-up along with our colleagues from AOHC and NPAO. While we are very disappointed there wasn’t a formal commitment in the budget […]
Patients Experience of Care Coordination and Communication
April 15- AFHTO welcomes the release of “Experiencing Integrated Care: Ontarians’ views of health care coordination and communication”, Health Quality Ontario’s (HQO) report on patients’ experiences of their transitions between health care providers and the associated care coordination and communication. The report focuses mainly on patients’ experiences of transitions and communication between doctors, specialists and […]
MOHLTC’s priorities and plans for primary care
This message presents what the Deputy and Associate Deputy Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care said recently about the ministry’s key priorities for health system transformation, the role of primary care in this transformation, and some of the key steps ahead. While the media have asked if government “has pressed the pause button on team-based […]
Minister releases action plan for health care: highlights for AFHTO members
On February 2, 2015 the Honourable Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins presented his plan for health care — Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care – on four themes: access, connecting patients to the services they need in their community, informing and educating patients on health care options, and protecting the quality, value and sustainability of […]
OMA Rejects Provincial Government Offer; Government expected to impose contract
Yesterday afternoon the Ontario Medical Association held a press conference announcing that they will not accept the government’s offer reached through the current negotiation and conciliation process. This was followed by the Minister’s press conference about 1 1/2 hours later. The parties have reached the point where government is now in a position to impose […]
What the mandate for Minister of Health and Long-Term Care means for AFHTO members
This afternoon the Premier publicly released the mandate letters sent to each of her Ministers. These letters outline the specific priorities that each member of cabinet and their ministry will focus on. The mandate letter addressed to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care begins by pointing out government’s overall priorities, i.e. growing the economy, […]
Ontario election update: responses from the political parties
As promised, we are sharing with you the response we received from each of the three main political parties to the questions we had posed (see below). Click on the links to see responses (listed in the order they were received) from the: PC party Liberal party NDP party Plus a follow-up letter from Deb […]
AFHTO’s input to OMA’s Negotiations Committee
Just before the AFHTO 2013 Conference, the OMA Negotiations Committee requested input from AFHTO “to identify potential topics or areas of focus that might warrant consideration during Ministry negotiations.” Their deadline for response was November 1, 2013. While the turnaround period was tight, the timing was ideal – two valuable opportunities to solicit membership input […]
Ontario Government agenda outlined in today’s Speech from the Throne
A new session opened in the Ontario Legislature today. The Hon. David Onley, Lt. Governor of Ontario, set out the new premier’s agenda for the upcoming legislative session in the Speech From the Throne. The components of the Government’s plan are: a Steady Hand and a Bold Vision focusing on economic growth and increased employment; […]
Tentative 2012 Physician Services Agreement: A Family Health Team Perspective
AFHTO congratulates the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Ontario Medical Association on reaching a Tentative 2012 Physician Services Agreement. AFHTO’s Executive Committee has reviewed the agreement to assess what it may mean for family health teams. Overall, the tentative agreement contains a number of provisions that are aligned with the vision for FHTs […]
Update on Ministry initiatives to promote and support quality in primary care
“Faster access and a stronger link to family health care” is one of three key planks in Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care. To do this, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has intensified focus on improving quality in this sector. Here is an overview and update on Ministry and related initiatives to promote […]
Primary care recruitment and retention: Letter to Premier and Finance Minister
The Ontario Government has not yet declared whether it will extend the Public Sector Compensation Restraint Act beyond its current expiry date of March 31. As part of our joint advocacy to address the challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff in primary care, AFHTO, in partnership with the Association of Ontario Health Centres and […]
Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care: Highlights for primary care
The Minister made two presentations today, an early-morning prelude for a healthcare audience and the lunchtime launch of Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care hosted by the Board of Trade. Below you’ll find links to the full plan and related communications pieces, as well as a bullet-point summary of the Action Plan. The general direction […]