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
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:
Population-based primary care is about effective management of the health of defined groups of people. It ensures all within this group are attached to a regular primary care provider and can access the appropriate care when they need it. The province’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care convened an Expert Advisory Committee to recommend how to ensure access to appropriate care for all Ontarians.
Sudbury Northern Life article published on November 30, 2015. Article pasted in full below Jonathan Migneault - Sudbury Northern Life
Data to Decisions (D2D) is a membership-wide report on performance in primary care. In this 4 minute video, Dr. Michelle Greiver, North York FHT, describes the reasons she values Data to Decisions. Share this video with your colleagues, physicians and board members to start conversations about how your team could benefit from D2D.
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 healthcare system. Patient access to nutrition care, challenges working to full potential and high turnover all arose as key issues.
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:
On November 25, 2015 the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) released the report Comparison of Family Health Teams to Other Ontario Primary Care Models, 2004/05 to 2011/12. This report compares outcomes of Family Health Team (FHT) patients in relation to other major models of primary care in Ontario over time.
Windsor Star article published on November 23, 2015.
Article in full pasted below. Brian Cross, Windsor Star
They don’t rush you, is the first thing that struck Essex retiree Jean St. Pierre when she began getting her primary care from a nurse practitioner instead of a doctor.