Exciting Leadership Appointment: Dale Clement Joins AFHTO as Senior Director of Strategy and Programs
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dale Clement as the Senior Director of Strategy and Programs at the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO). Dale brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience in healthcare, with a proven track record in clinical and operational leadership, strategic planning, and transformative program development. […]
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Originally posted Jan. 27, 2020. Last updated February 16, 2023 This page will provide updates on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as they become available. The Ministry of Health has released guidelines for primary care, along with posters. A website for healthcare providers is now live. You can also access information for the public on their […]
2021 COVID-19 News and Updates
news News and updates Update on COVID-19 Projections – Ontario Science Advisory Table, December 16, 2021 Responding to Omicron and Protecting Our Progress– Ministry of Health backgrounder, Dec. 10, 2021 A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term– Ontario Executive Council, Oct. 22, 2021 Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate with QR Code […]
COVID-19 Situation Reports 2022
Here is a complete list of COVID-19 situation reports received in 2022 up to May 11, 2022. Situation Report #675 COVID-19 _ Rapport sur la situation no 675 COVID-19– May 11, 2022 Situation Report #674 COVID-19 _ Rapport sur la situation no 674 COVID-19– May 10, 2022 Situation Report #673 COVID-19 _ Rapport sur […]
Refugee HealthLine: Request for Health Care Providers to Provide Transitional Care for Refugees
The Ministry of Health (the “ministry”) is supporting newly arriving refugees and people arriving through other exceptional humanitarian authorizations (e.g., Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) by providing a toll-free, multi-lingual, Refugee HealthLine where they can connect with health care providers who deliver services funded by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), the Interim Federal Health […]
COVID-19 Situation Reports 2021
Here is a complete list of COVID-19 situation reports received in 2021. Situation Report #586_ COVID-19 _ Rapport sur la situation no 586_ COVID-19– Dec. 31, 2021 Situation Report #585_ COVID-19 _ Rapport sur la situation no 585_ COVID-19– Dec. 30, 2021 Situation Report #584_ COVID-19 _ Rapport sur la situation no 584_ COVID-19– Dec. […]
Annual Report 2021 (Post-Pandemic Primary Care: Respond, Recover, Rebuild)
It has been a challenging 20 months, and primary care teams have been leaders. Throughout this pandemic, teams adjusted to new circumstances and continued to provide comprehensive care while extending reach to support their communities. They were leaders in organizing assessment centres, conducting tests, and administering COVID-19 vaccines. They collaborated with their partners to help keep communities safe, while keeping their doors open […]
Bits & Pieces: Astra-Zeneca pause supporting documentation, CMOH webinar and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Supporting documentation for Astra-Zeneca pause COVID-19 Education with Daniel Warshafsky, Office of CMOH, June 9 Happy Foot Health Month- plus article on initial diabetic foot screening COVID-19 vaccination clinic workflow update Provincial Antigen Screening Program – Intake Portal and more Relevant reports and studies- patient perspectives […]
The Primary Care Collaborative
COVID-19 shows the vital roles primary care providers play every day for community health and wellbeing and health system cooperation in Ontario Toronto, March 29, 2021 – During COVID-19, we see again and again across Ontario that communities – from people living in large urban centres to smaller cities to towns and rural […]
How primary health care helps health systems adapt during the COVID 19 pandemic: OECD report
OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Strengthening the frontline: How primary health care helps health systems adapt during the COVID 19 pandemic Feb. 10, 2021 Abstract Health systems continue to adapt to cope with the COVID‑19 pandemic. Much focus has been placed on the scaling-up of hospital capacities. However, the pandemic is also deeply affecting […]
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 […]
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 […]
Team-based Primary Care Pharmacists – Position Statement
The Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) has released a position statement on team-based primary care pharmacists. “Greater involvement of pharmacists in primary care will improve the health of populations, enhance the patient experience of care, reduce the per capita cost of healthcare, and improve the experience and satisfaction of those working in the healthcare […]
Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020 (Bill 175) – AFHTO’s Submission
On June 17, AFHTO presented its submission to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly on Bill 175: Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020. Our key recommendations are: Delay the passage of Bill 175, Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020– Delay the passage of Bill 175, Connecting People to […]
Patient and Family Engagement in Primary Care: Case Study Report
On Thursday, June 11, The Change Foundation released Patient and Family Engagement in Primary Care: Building effective patient and family advisory councils in three Ontario communities,a case study report featuring 3 Family Health Teams. The report finds twenty key lessons in 5 categories- launching, recruiting, operating, relationships and sustaining. Teams featured: Peterborough Family Health Team– […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
COVID-19 Health System Response Structure
To: Health System Partners From: Matthew Anderson, President and CEO Re COVID-19 Health System Response Structure Please see attached our Health System Response structure designed to meet the increasing demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key elements are being addressed by a province-wide health system oversight table with: Patient and family advisors, led by Mary Beaucage […]
Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19
On March 25, 2020, Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips released Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 (OAP) in the Legislature. The action plan is a fiscal and economic update, which constitutes another legislative step in the Ontario government’s response to the pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world have had to respond […]
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 […]
H+K Memo on Ontario Government’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy
MEMO: To: Public Affairs Clients From: Hill+Knowlton Strategies Subject: Ontario unveils its mental health and addictions strategy, Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions System Date: March 3, 2020 Today, Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Associate Minister of Mental Health Michael Tibollo unveiled government’s mental health and addictions strategy, […]
Ontario Government Announces Changes to Mental Health and Addictions System
Ministry of Health news release – March. 3, 2020 Ontario is launching Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions System. Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, were at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences to unveil […]
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 […]
Government to phase out red and white OHIP cards
January 9, 2020 News from the Ontario Ministry of Health Government of Ontario Protecting the Health Care System from Fraud Switching to Secure Photo Health Card is Easy and Free Ontario is protecting the health care system against fraud by ensuring the final transition to a more secure photo health card. As of […]
Ontario Health Chair Thanks Susan Fitzpatrick for her service as Interim CEO
January 29, 2020 TO: Ontario Health Stakeholder Partners FROM: Bill Hatanaka, Ontario Health Board Chair As Susan Fitzpatrick ends her tenure this week as Interim CEO for Ontario Health, I’d like to take a moment to thank her and recognize some of her many achievements. Susan joined the organization in April 2019 with a focused […]
Assistant Chief Medical Officer of Health Letter- novel coronavirus
January 23, 2020 Dear Health System Partners, I am writing to continue sharing information about the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This outbreak of 2019-nCoV continues to evolve, and there have been some significant developments that I want to bring to your attention. Case Counts: Firstly, the case counts in China (Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai plus several other […]
Alternate payment model is saving province millions at two Alberta clinics
Excerpt from CBC News, published December 10, 2019 By Jennifer Lee A new report by the Health Quality Council of Alberta reveals two Alberta primary care clinics — using an alternative funding model for doctors — are saving the health-care system millions of dollars a year. HQCA studied 10 years’ worth of data from […]
Chief Medical Officer of Health Memo- Novel Coronavirus in China
January 10, 2020 Dear Health System Partners, I am writing to share information with you about the World Health Organization’s announcement (WHO’s) yesterday, of the identification of a new (or novel) coronavirus in China. This new virus was identified as part of the investigation of a cluster of 59 people in Wuhan, China that presented […]
Ontario Health Memo: Ontario Health President & CEO
December 20, 2019 MEMORANDUM TO: Ontario Health Stakeholder Partners FROM: Bill Hatanaka, Ontario Health Board Chair As a valued partner, I am very pleased to share with you that the Board of Directors of Ontario Health has appointed Matthew Anderson as Ontario Health’s President and CEO effective February 1, 2020. Since 2016 Matthew has been […]
Measuring Up 2019
Health Quality Ontario, now the Quality business unit of Ontario Health has released Measuring Up 2019 — a yearly report on the performance of Ontario’s health system. This year’s report, with Bright Lights award winner Dr. Paul Gill, Maitland Valley FHT on the cover, is based on the Quadruple Aim of health care improvement: better […]
Ontario Health Memo: Upcoming Transfers to Ontario Health
Memo sent on Behalf of Susan Fitzpatrick, Interim CEO, Ontario Health Good Morning, As a valued partner in the health care system, I wanted to let you know that earlier today transfer orders were issued by the Honourable Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, to Cancer Care Ontario, eHealth Ontario, HealthForceOntario Marketing […]
Using ‘New Power’ to Spark Change
By Dr. Jennifer Young, President, Ontario College of Family Physicians Originally posted on OCFP’s website This word cloud summarizes the day that over 40 Ontario leaders of primary care spent together on September 21! We had the honour to share it with Dr. Robert Varnam, a family physician from the UK who has spearheaded some […]
Ministry of Health memo– Organizational Realignment
September 12, 2019 MEMORANDUM TO: Health Sector Partners FROM: Helen Angus Deputy Minister Ministry of Health RE: Ministry of Health – Organizational Realignment As the Ministry of Health continues to modernize Ontario’s publicly-funded health care system in order to end hallway health care, build a connected mental health and addictions system, improve patient […]
Premier Ford Shuffles Cabinet
MEMO To: H+K Clients From: Hill + Knowlton Strategies (H+K) Date: June 20, 2019 Almost one year since the Executive Council was sworn-in, the Ford government has made the most significant shuffle of cabinet to date. This larger, 28-member cabinet includes some new faces, while promoting those who have performed well over the past year. […]
Cancer Care Ontario transitioning to fecal immunochemical test
Message on behalf of Cancer Care Ontario. Cancer Care Ontario through its ColonCancerCheck (CCC) screening program is transitioning to the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) as the recommended screening test for people at average risk of developing colorectal cancer. The guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) will no longer be used in the CCC program. […]
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’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 […]
How primary care is a prescription for healing hallway medicine
The Toronto Star article published on Monday, March 25, 2019 By Andrew Boozary, Michael Kidd & Aisha Lofters Medicine’s history is tied to the pursuit of a fix. If someone is ailing, they may seek to feel better, but almost always prefer a cure. And maybe now, more than ever, we all expect that […]
Introducing our revamped website
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. […]
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: 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 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 […]
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, 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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 – […]
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. […]
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, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
META-PHI program helping more patients with opioid addiction thanks to to ARTIC
More Ontarians are filling opioid prescriptions now than ever before according to a recent report by Health Quality Ontario. Nearly two out of every 1,000 Ontarians visited an emergency department within a week of being dispensed an opioid and the death rate from opioid overdoses has nearly quadrupled in Ontario in the last 25 years. […]
Expression of Interest to establish Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Teams
On May 25, 2016, the Government of Ontario launched the Ontario First Nations Health Action Plan (OFNHAP), a multi-year initiative to improve health care for Indigenous peoples in Ontario. A key part of this Plan is the creation or expansion of new primary care teams; community-based models of primary health care that are designed based […]
Ontario government makes new commitment to strengthening interprofessional primary care
Today, the Ontario government announced new investments in interprofessional primary care. In the 2017 Ontario Budget, the Wynne government committed $145 million in addition to the $85 million announced last year. The government is “investing an additional $145 million over the next 3 years to effectively recruit and retain nurses, nurse […]
Implementing Choosing Wisely Canada Recommendations in Ontario to Improve Quality of Care: HQO Report
Ontario clinicians deliver quality care by reducing unnecessary care: new report When it comes to medical tests and procedures, less can sometimes be better. According to a new report released this week, Ontario health care providers are successfully working to provide and improve quality care by reducing unnecessary care to patients across Ontario. Released by […]
Volunteers for Ontario’s Patient and Family Advisory Council Needed
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) is inviting patients, families, and caregivers to apply to be a member of the new provincial Patient and Family Advisory Council. No experience is necessary — you simply need to be 18 years of age or older and live in Ontario. Over the course of 18 months, […]
AFHTO’s 2017 Pre-Budget Submission
AFHTO submitted its recommendations to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of the 2017 Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations on Jan. 20, 2017. In this upcoming provincial budget, we call on the government to strengthen primary care so that it can deliver on its commitments outlined in the Patients First Act and ensure […]
2017 Compensation Campaign: Getting to the 2012 Rates
2017 COMPENSATION CAMPAIGN “Investing in Interprofessional Primary Care Teams” We continue to call on the Ontario government to support primary health care interprofessional teams by investing an additional $130 million annually to bring our team members to the 2012 recommended wage rates. This figure is in addition to the current investments of $31.7 million annualized, […]
AFHTO Requests a Return to Federal-Provincial-Territorial Health Funding Negotiations
Toronto, Jan. 6, 2017 – The Association of Family of Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) is strongly urging a return to the table between the federal and provincial governments to negotiate a health agreement that will ensure we have a long-term sustainable health system today and for future generations. The proposed offer by the federal […]
Review of Ontario’s digital health strategy. Highlights of AFHTO’s contribution
Minister Eric Hoskins and eHealth Ontario have now received Ed Clark’s review of Ontario’s Digital Health Assets, which confirms the significant and ongoing value of digital health infrastructure, and have accepted all of his recommendations in principle. In October the provincial government requested the Premier’s Business Advisor, Mr. Ed Clark, assess the value of ehealth […]
AFHTO’s recommendations re Bill 41, Patients First
“Moving care coordinators from CCACs to LHINs does not remove barriers, it just moves them from one bureaucracy to another. If primary care providers were supported to coordinate care, it would make a significant difference for the health of patients and their experience of care.” With this and other comments, AFHTO presented to the Standing […]
Minister Hoskins has signed compensation funding letters
Today the Minister’s Office confirmed that funding letters regarding the compensation increases promised in the 2016 provincial budget are signed and will be going out within the next week. Click here to read the Minister’s announcement. Dates for web briefings with Ministry staff are being arranged. We expect to have further information out to you shortly. […]
2016 Annual Report | Equity, Integration and Access: Shaping a Population-Focused Health System
AFHTO’s vision is that all Ontarians will have timely access to high-quality and comprehensive primary care – care that is informed by the social determinants of health, delivered by collaborative teams, and anchored in an integrated, equitable and sustainable health system. Our 2016 Annual Report, Equity, Integration and Access: Shaping a Population-Focused Health System chronicles the […]
AFHTO President’s column on tentative physician services agreement published
New deal serves doctors and patients alike Waterloo Region Record article published on Aug. 8, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Dr. Sean Blaine, Waterloo Region Record My patients are living with increasingly complex chronic medical conditions. It’s for the 2,400 patients in my family practice, and for patients across Ontario, that I add my voice in […]
Patients First Act: Opportunity to strengthen primary care
Government has taken a key step to move forward with its proposal for health care – the Patients First Act has been tabled in the legislature today. This legislation brings together all of the key health system players at a local level to focus on the unique health needs of people in communities across the […]
Care coordination in primary care: new HQO report and AFHTO case study
“Coordinating patient care is a fundamental role of primary care, which is the foundation of Ontario’s complex health system… However, patients do not always move through the system as smoothly as they could.” Health Quality Ontario’s (HQO) new report Connecting the Dots for Patients: Family Doctors’ Views on Coordinating Patient Care in Ontario’s Health System, […]
Ontario Primary Care Council submits response to Patients First proposal
Ontario Primary Care Council Submits Response to Patients First proposal Dear Minister Hoskins, On behalf of the member associations of the Ontario Primary Care Council (OPCC), we again congratulate you on Patients First: A proposal to strengthen patient-centred health care in Ontario. OPCC has worked together over the past several weeks to develop advice on […]
Primary Care’s united response to Minister’s Patients First proposal
In a letter to Minister Eric Hoskins six associations of the Ontario Primary Care Council (OPCC) have provided initial feedback on the Province’s plans to strengthen our health care system. The Council recommends that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term set out clear principles for planning aligned with OPCC’s Framework for Primary Care in Ontario, develop […]
Budget Talks 2016: ask the Ontario government to address recruitment and retention
The Ontario government has opened Budget Talks 2016, an online portal for Ontarians to offer feedback to the government on 2016/17 budget planning, which provides another opportunity to raise awareness of the need for sufficient funding for recruitment and retention. Use this opportunity to continue the call to support recruitment and retention in primary care […]
Ministry releases Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario
On December 17, 2015, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released its discussion paper – Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario. The paper addresses four components: More effective integration of services and greater equity Timely access to primary care and seamless links between primary care and other services More […]
HQO & ICES Report on Quality of Mental Health Services in Ontario
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) released Taking Stock: A report on the quality of mental health and addictions services in Ontario. The report finds variation both in access to and quality of mental health services across the province. Key Findings Visits to physicians’ offices for mental illness or […]
AFHTO releases two statements: care coordination/population-based primary care
December 7, 2015 – Today the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario released two new statements as part of members’ ongoing work to improve access and integration of care in a sustainable health system. These two statements respond to and build on recent reports: AFHTO response to the Expert Advisory Committee’s recommendations on population-based […]
Report: Changes needed to improve retention, services and access to dietitians in Ontario’s primary health care
On November 25, Dietitians of Canada released the Dietitian Workforce in Ontario Primary Health Care Survey Report. Over four hundred dietitians working in FHTs, NPLCs, CHCs and FHOs were surveyed in spring 2015 to describe the current workforce and roles of the dietitian, and to identify factors supporting the integration of their roles into the […]
Re: Ontario plans health-care overhaul — sorely needed!
On November 24, 2015, The Globe and Mail published an article Ontario plans to target home care in overhaul of health care system. In response, AFHTO together with the Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC) sent a joint letter to the editor: Letter to the Globe and Mail Editor, sent November 24, 2015: Research from […]
Minister Hoskins speaks about structural change at Health Achieve conference
In a speech at the close of the OHA’s Health Achieve conference today, Ontario Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins, spoke about why he believes “we must undertake structural change to our health care system.” Key points include: • The need for government to improve equity of access to health services and outcomes for patients • […]
2015 Annual Report Collective Impact: The Power to Shape Our Future
We are pleased to share our latest Annual Report – Collective Impact: The Power to Shape Our Future. This report highlights the progress AFHTO members have made, and the emerging research evidence on the added value of primary care teams. Leadership + governance = Growing VALUE for Ontario’s + measurement + improvement […]
Health Quality Ontario’s releases 2015 Measuring Up Report
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) has released its yearly report on Ontario’s health system, Measuring Up. Based on the Common Quality Agenda, the report presents a profile of Ontarians’ health, the performance of our health system and a comparison with the rest of Canada and other countries. As such, we encourage members to review it. The […]
Auditor General’s Report: Hard look needed to improve CCAC service delivery model
In a news release announcing a Special Report on CCACs, the Auditor General of Ontario stated, “The Ontario government needs to take a hard look at how the province’s Community Care Access Centres (CCACs), along with their third-party service providers, deliver home- and community-based health care and related support services to patients outside hospital settings.” […]
Family Health Teams participating in “Bundled Care” – a funding model aiming to improve care coordination
Sep. 2 – Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins announced provincial funding for an expanded pilot to provide for patients’ care needs using an approach called bundled care. Taking place in six communities across Ontario, the aim is to help people transition more smoothly from the hospital into their homes. Also known as an “integrated funding model”, […]
Supporting the Call for National Drug Coverage
“When you can’t pay for the drugs you need to treat or manage your health conditions, you get sicker and develop more serious complications. Families, employers and communities are hurt as well. Primary care teams see this every day. We wholeheartedly support this campaign to move toward a national system of pharmacare.”- Angie Heydon, Executive […]
D2D 2.0 report release: AFHTO members advance primary care measurement
AFHTO members are leading the way to advance manageable and meaningful measurement across primary care. This work is critical. Around the world, cost-effective, high-performing health systems are based on a strong foundation of comprehensive primary care; robust measurement is a mandatory ingredient for strengthening that foundation. D2D 2.0 demonstrates significant progress in this journey: More […]
Ontario to introduce patient privacy amendments
Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care aims to introduce amendments to the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) in the fall. If passed, these amendments would include making it mandatory to report breaches to the commissioner’s office; lifting the requirement that offences be prosecuted within six months of an alleged breach, and doubling fines […]
HQO Report: Patient experiences 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 […]
Media coverage highlights value of team-based primary care
Recent media coverage about family health teams and team-based primary care as a whole have pointed to its value to patients in Ontario and the government’s intent to review primary health care models and balance healthcare spending. Total cost of care – Team-based care improving the bottom line AFHTO emphasizes that the real issue for […]
Primary care recommendations in Home and Community Care Report
Today the Ontario government announced “Ontario Endorses Expert Report on Home and Community Care” as it released Bringing Care Home, a report from the expert group on home and community care led by Dr. Gail Donner. The release stated, “This report will help inform the next steps in Ontario’s home care strategy which will be […]
“Health Care in a Time of Austerity” on TVO’s The Agenda
Feb. 25 – On The Agenda with Steve Paikin, Claudia Mariano, Nurse Practitioner at West Durham FHT and AFHTO Board Member, appeared on the show to discuss the need for increased support for recruitment & retention in primary care. The program, “Health Care in a Time of Austerity” focused on primary care reform in a time […]
Ensuring access to team-based primary care
AFHTO continues to give top priority to advocacy for increased funding to enable our members to recruit and retain the staff needed to deliver comprehensive team-based primary care. AFHTO members have been highly effective in meeting with their local MPPs to raise awareness and political pressure. AFHTO, together with our collaborators in interprofessional primary care […]
External evaluation report on family health teams is now available
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has released the report: An External Evaluation of the Family Health Teams (FHT) Initiative. It is a longitudinal study over the period from Dec. 2008 to November 2013, prepared by the Conference Board of Canada under contract to the ministry. AFHTO has prepared a summary of this 311-page […]
AFHTO calls for quick action on government’s Primary Care Guarantee
800 Primary Care Providers meet in Toronto to share best practices and push for enhanced primary care. Toronto, ON (October 16, 2014): The Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) called for the Wynne government to take quick action to implement one of its election commitments: a guarantee that every Ontarian has access to […]
AFHTO’s 2014 Annual Report to the Members is now available
The 2014 Annual Report gives insight into the progress of AFHTO members – family health teams and nurse practitioner-led clinics – collectively supported by their association, to move toward their shared vision. This is a vision where all Ontarians would have timely access to high-quality and comprehensive primary care, and that care is informed by […]