Dear Members,
2022 has not started off the way we had hoped with the rapid increase in Omicron cases and the shift back to online learning for our kids. As Ontario struggles through what looks to be the most challenging wave of this pandemic, we remain heartened and continually in awe of the dedication of our teams in ensuring you do everything you can do keep your patients and community safe.
Collaborative Quality Improvement Plan (cQIP) Indicator: Increasing overall access to preventative care
Below are a few options for Telus PS queries for the indicators above.
The Ontario government is awarding a contract to create a one-stop, digitally enabled navigation tool with fully bilingual services that will increase access to care and improve equity. This new tool expected to be ready in early 2022, where Ontarians will have a ‘Digital Front Door’ to Ontario’s health care system, offering a place where they can have easier access to health information, advice, initial triage, symptom checking, mental health and addictions supports, home and community care, caregiver supports, information on finding a local doctor or nurse practitioner, and virtual care to become connected to health information and health care services across the province and to receive guidance throughout their health care journey.
Ontario Health has been assigned contract management for the navigation tool and will work closely with the consortium, the ministry, and key stakeholders to design and implement this service. The ministry and Ontario Health will continue to work closely with health care sector partners to harness their expertise and insights on how best to support health care system navigation and address patients and providers’ needs.
Helpful Resources:
• Health Care Navigation Service overview (attached document)
Ontario Health has launched Breaking Free Online, an online therapy tool for Ontarians 16 and up to support recovery from the use of over 70 substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, including opioids, and help prevent a relapse. The solution is free for patients and providers and is available 24/7 in both English and French. Primary care providers can refer their patients to Breaking Free Online directly or choose to implement it as a tool to facilitate ongoing treatment.
Getting Started: To implement Breaking Free Online, please email Nicholette Smith at nsmith@breakingfreegroup.com to receive your organization’s service code. You will use this service code to enrol clients, access resources in the operational toolkit, and view real-time data analytics via an online outcomes dashboard.
Helpful Resources:
• Breaking Free: Addressing Substance Use Disorders Through Digital Innovation (attached document)
• Video Overview
• Extensive Peer-Reviewed Research
• Q&A
This week (October 25th) is the Province’s ‘Blitz Week’ for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, and those planning to become pregnant, in an attempt to increase vaccination rates amongst this vulnerable population.
Below are resources shared by the Ministry of Health - Emergency Operations Centre:
Immunization Guidance document has been updated. This Guidance replaces the Guidance for Immunization Services During COVID-19 that was originally posted in August 2020.This guidance has been updated to include information on extended vaccine eligibility for some publicly funded vaccines and well as guidance on the co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines.