2021 Conference Themes
Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world
Bits & Pieces: PTSD, relationships & accessible supports, farewell to Rachel and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue PTSD, Relationships & Accessible Support, July 14 Farewell to Rachel So Attn: Geriatric Clinical Pharmacology and GeriMedRisk only available live Call for applications to Indigenous and expanded midwifery programs Member stories Q&A for mixed COVID-19 mRNA vaccine schedules and more COVID@Home: winding down of distribution pathways […]
Bits & Pieces: 2022 election priorities, free bot to document vaccines and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue 2022 Election Priorities: seeking members’ input AFHTO statement on racism and hate Reminder- Cancer screening during the pandemic and onwards, June 21 Nominations to the AFHTO Board of Directors open until July 30 Free bot to help document vaccinations and more Update on the Ontario Structured […]
AFHTO Statement on Racism and Hate
We want to start by expressing our grief and sorrow about the tragic and horrifying events of the last few weeks, recognizing that racism and hate has been part of Canada since its inception. We mourn the discovery of the mass grave at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The profound loss of 215 […]
Update on COVID Resources and Vaccines
Dear Members, Your Primary Care Collaborative* (PCC) would like to update you on a few resources and supports for members with the ongoing pandemic and vaccine rollout. However, before providing any updates, we want to start by expressing our grief and sorrow about the tragic and horrifying events of the last few weeks, recognizing that […]
Bits & Pieces: cancer screening during the pandemic and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Cancer screening during the pandemic and onwards, June 21 Reminder- COVID-19 Education with Daniel Warshafsky, June 9 Reminder- Update on the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program, June 10 Member stories AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD second dose Q&A, reports of myocarditis/pericarditis after vaccination and more You could have over 22,619 pairs […]
Bits & Pieces: vaccine consent and information for youth, physiotherapy month and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Vaccine consent and information for youth and more updates National Physiotherapy Month Member stories Ontario is creating a roadmap to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 Important information about AstraZeneca second doses and more MindWell for Healthcare Workers Support reminder- BounceBack Call for applications for FASD support […]
Important Information about AstraZeneca Second Doses
Dear members, As you are aware the Ministry announced yesterday that they will make second dose administration of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine available, beginning with those who received their first dose of the vaccine between March 10 and March 19, 2021. For primary care this impacts the primary care clinics that were part of the initial […]
Pause of first doses of AstraZeneca/COVIDSHIELD Update
In This Issue: Pause of first doses of AstraZeneca/COVIDSHIELD Update mRNA Vaccines in Primary Care Ontario Matching Portal COVID-19 vaccination clinic workflow and mass upload tips & tricks Community of Practice: Primary Care Participation COVID@Home A Big Thank You! Dear Members, You have probably already heard that the Ontario government announced on May 11th that […]
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 […]
Mobilizing Primary Care to Support Hospitals with COVID@Home and Ramping up COVID-19 Vaccinations
Dear triad members, Last night we received a memo from Matt Anderson, President and CEO of Ontario Health, that outlines the severity of the situation in hospitals due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Ontario is facing a severe crisis with hospital capacity due to the surging number of cases. The positive COVID-19 cases announced […]
Ontario stay-at-home order and the Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
Dear Executive Directors and Administrative Leads, The third province-wide stay-at-home order took effect today at 12:01 AM. Under the stay-at-home order, primary care teams are encouraged to continue virtual care wherever possible but do not stop or delay in-person care. It remains at a clinician’s discretion to determine if a patient needs to be seen […]
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 […]
March 19th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Collaborative (PC-VAC*). This week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here. The projections from the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and Modelling Consensus update on COVID-19 Table on March 11 suggests […]
Ontario Health Unit Vaccination Plans
Shared by the Toronto Star Updated March 2021 The Toronto Star collected data on how each Ontario Region will roll out COVID vaccines. The 21 Public Health Units responded; 8 were found online; 5 were not found at the time. Ontario Health Unit Vaccination Plans, by Health Unit Algoma Public Health Unit Brant County Health […]
March 8th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Collaborative (*PC-VAC). This past week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here. Today, the primary care organizations had an opportunity to present to some public health units, members of the Ministry’s Public […]
March 1st Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Collaborative (PC-VAC*). This past week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here. The Collaborative has been working closely together and is meeting regularly with representatives from the Provincial Vaccine Task Force, public […]
February 17th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (*PC-VAC). Last week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here. We are mindful that the news regarding vaccines is evolving daily, and we will have to continue to be prepared […]
Bits & Pieces: cultural safety toolkit, many vaccine resources and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Creating a safer environment for Indigenous Peoples Reminder- Supply Ontario survey Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar tomorrow Saegis cybersecurity clinic update webinar Mar 4 PHAC COVID-19 vaccination toolkit for HCWs, many Ministry resources, and more Wellness Together Canada OCFP Awards – call for nominations CPSO […]
Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring resources, fact sheets and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring program resources now available Happy Psychology month Supply Ontario survey Interprofessional primary care during COVID-19: a survey of the provider perspective Correction-anti-racism webinar series open to members COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet, cancer screening update and more Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar, […]
Winter Highlights 2021: AFHTO Leadership Council
The AFHTO Leadership Council met on February 4, 2021. Below are the highlights from the winter 2021 council meeting; updates on last week’s meeting with officials at the Ministry of Health; and links to useful resources. AFHTO review Highlights of the work that is keeping AFHTO busy were shared with the council, including COVID-19 vaccination […]
February 6th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (*PC-VAC). This week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here. We are mindful that the news regarding vaccines is evolving daily, and we will have to continue to be prepared […]
January 22nd Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (*PC-VAC). This week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here. There are several updates this week: Vaccination Availability: The delays reported from Pfizer seem likely to affect availability of vaccination […]
January 15th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (*PC-VAC). Each week, we advocate for a shared set of bottom-line messages to vaccine decision-makers. You can read the bottom lines for this week here. We are also committed to sharing with you weekly news […]
2020 COVID-19 News and Updates
news Provincial Command Table Memos Other news and updates DM OH CMOH memo COVID19 update May 29 2020 DM OH CMOH memo COVID19 update May 25 2020 DM OH CMOH memo COVID19 update May 22 2020 DM OH CMOH memo COVID19 update May 20 2020 DM OH CMOH memo COVID19 update May 15 2020 DM […]
January 8th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, As you are aware, the COVID-19 response is changing rapidly. As mentioned earlier this week, the Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council* is very active in provincial advocacy efforts. We are meeting regularly with many partners including the Ontario Hospital Association, Public Health, Ontario Medical Association, Ministry of Health staff and Vaccine Task […]
COVID-19 Situation Reports 2020
Here is a complete list of COVID-19 situation reports received in 2020. We have noted a glitch from #202 to #333 (now #303) and are working to update them. If you would like to receive an affected report, please email info@afhto.ca. Situation Report #336 _ COVID-19 _ Rapport sur la Situation #336 _ COVID-19 […]
Bits & Pieces: address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill, COVID checklist for primary care & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill #AFHTO2020: following up Immediate need for case and contact management Member stories- COVID-19 EMR screening, virtual clinic and SDOH New BounceBack client resources available OMA’s OHT white paper Togetherall social media content and mini videos COVID-19 checklist for primary […]
Conversations with local public health units – and additional tools and resources
Dear triad members, After a bit of down time this summer, we restarted our regular regional ED check-in calls. At the beginning of the month we connected with EDs across all regions, and we were joined by representatives from local public health units. We discussed preparation for wave 2 and flu season and how we […]
Immediate Need for Case and Contact Management
Dear Executive Directors and Administrative Leads, This message is being sent out on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Population Health Initiatives with regards to their need to immediately support the provincial care and contact management strategy, especially in regions where the COVID-19 numbers are steadily increasing. If you have any team members who can […]
Georgina NPLC’s COVID-19 testing drive-thru tests over 130 residents as negative
Georgina Post article published August 5, 2020 By Mike Anderson More than 130 residents tested negative for COVID-19 after the Georgina Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (GNPLC) launched a “pop-up” drive-thru testing site at the Georgina Sutton Arena Hall parking lot on July 29. According to GNPLC Clinical Director Beth Cowper-Fung, 133 tests were completed, including nine […]
Mount Forest FHT receives grant to reach Mennonite, Amish populations
Wellington Advertiser article published July 15, 2020 By Patrick Rafits WELLINGTON NORTH – The Mount Forest Family Health Team (MFFHT) has received a grant to help it provide virtual support to area Mennonite and Amish residents. The Centre Wellington Community Foundation (CWCF) announced on July 13 it has awarded a $10,880 grant to the Township […]
2020 Conference Themes
Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world
How STAR FHT doctor’s videos help navigate COVID-19 pandemic
CBC article published June 24, 2020 By Desmond Brown The COVID-19 pandemic has turned Stratford-based family physician Sean Blaine into an internet sensation of sorts — as a YouTube commentator offering tips to navigate the health emergency. Blaine says he has “a couple of ideas on how we can get through this thing together.” He […]
COVID-19 in Ontario – A Focus on Diversity: Public Health Ontario Report
On June 1, Public Health Ontario released Enhanced Epidemiological Summary COVID-19 in Ontario – A Focus on Diversity . Purpose This report aims to explore neighbourhood-level trends among laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Ontario who do not reside in long term care (LTC) from a health equity perspective. It combines individual case data with neighbourhood-level […]
Hamilton and McMaster FHTs provide drive-thru COVID-19 testing for 60 people per day
Y108 News article published April 23, 2020 By Lisa Polewski Hamiltonians can now book a COVID-19 test at the city’s drive-thru site, based inside the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena. It’s not quite the same as a fast-food drive-thru, but the COVID-19 testing centre at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena is as efficient as it gets. Since Hamilton’s […]
COVID-19 Outbreak Has Likely Peaked in Ontario
Ontario News Release Modelling shows physical distancing still needed to prevent further spread TORONTO — The Ontario government today released updated COVID-19 modelling, which shows that the enhanced public health measures, including staying home and physically distancing from each other, are working to contain the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. However, the […]
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 […]
COVID-19 in Ontario- What Do the Models Show for Our Future?
Ontario News Release Projected number of cases and deaths can be significantly reduced if people stay home TORONTO – Today, the Ontario government released extensive COVID-19 modelling, revealing several scenarios that project the potential number of cases and deaths. In doing so, the province is providing the public with full transparency about the consequences should […]
Londoners and Thames Valley FHT organize to supply doctor’s offices, ‘love-bomb’ health-care workers
The London Free Press article published Mar. 20, 2020 By Randy Richmond A handful of Londoners have turned some casual conversations into a grassroots effort supplying thousands of gloves and masks to local medical clinics. And they want more people stuck at home, especially business leaders, to step up and help. “We all need to get out […]
Ontario shifting to virtual-first model in bid to halt spread of COVID-19
The Star article published Mar. 16, 2020 By Megan Ogilvie Family doctors across Ontario are rapidly transitioning to a “virtual-first” care model as a way to halt the spread of COVID-19 in their offices and waiting rooms. Starting this week, most doctors will talk to patients on the phone, by video conference or through email as […]
H+K Memo on Ontario Government COVID-19 Press Conference
MEMO: To: H+K Clients From: Hill+Knowlton Strategies Subject: Ontario Government Press Conference on COVID-19 Date: March 16, 2020 Context On March 16, 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford held a press conference to update on the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Ford was joined by Finance Minister, Rod Phillips; Minister of Labour, Training and […]
Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 memo, changes to mental health system, AI fellowship & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue COVID-19 updates including memo and tools Members’ stories Ontario Health Teams and privacy: a legal perspective Ontario government announces changes to mental health and addictions system Fellowship in compassion and artificial intelligence Integrating mental health services in primary care- deadline March 23 Spring registration for ECHO […]