The 2013 Annual Report gives insight into the progress of Ontario’s family health teams, 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 the social determinants of health, delivered by collaborative teams in partnership with patients and communities, and anchored in an integrated, equitable and sustainable system.

The main focus of the meeting was on budget flexibility and accountability. FHT representatives presented to MOHLTC the position proposed by the Executive Director Advisory Council at their meeting of August 28 and endorsed by the AFHTO board and the AOHC’s group of CFHT EDs. Other topics covered in the meeting:

When it comes to health care, the key planks in the 2013 Ontario budget are Health Links, the Seniors’ Strategy and the recently announced funding increases for home care. The health care sections of the budget summarize government priorities and commitments in this area.  Click here to read health-related excerpts from the budget.

Today Minister Matthews announced that Ontario is improving access to physiotherapy services for eligible Ontarians by changing how and where these services are provided.  Beginning August 1, 2013, the province will expand availability of community-based physiotherapy, exercise classes and falls prevention services in more locations across Ontario. Steps include integrating physiotherapy positions into primary care settings, including Family Health Teams, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, and Community Health Centres. The total number of positions is not yet known.

The AFHTO board is pleased to announce the renewed vision, mission and strategic priorities to guide our work on behalf of our members over the next 2 – 3 years. Please click here for more information.

One year after releasing Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care, Health Minister Deb Matthews presented her progress report today.  She called it a plan for “fundamental transformation” that puts “family health care at the centre of the system.”

Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced the release of Seasonal Influenza 2012/ 2013: Ontario’s Blueprint for Action. This document updates the 2011/ 2012 Blueprint for Action by outlining the actions that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Labour are taking to support the health system’s response to this year’s influenza season.

AFHTO is pleased to share the launch of Health Quality Ontario’s (HQO) Learning Community Wave 6 in Advanced Access, Efficiency and Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care as a valuable learning opportunity for family health teams.  Advanced Access, Efficiency and Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care has been designed to assist providers in reaching this goal by offering Independent and Coach-Supported Learning programs.

In order to improve the quality and efficiency of treatment for low-back pain, the province of Ontario is launching a Provincial Low-Back Pain Strategy to:

• Decrease wait times for medically-necessary diagnostic imaging, and
• Improve outcomes for patients suffering from low back pain.

The strategy has three components:

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario launched a task force, bringing together key stakeholders to review the role of almost 4,300 primary care nurses (RNs and RPNs) currently practising in Ontario.

The Task Force focused on two progressive phases of outcomes.