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Expression of Interest for Interprofessional Primary Care Teams
May 11, 2023
The OCFP, together with the SGFP and our Primary Care Collaborative partners, advocated for the creation of more primary care teams. Our Plan of Action calls for team-based care as one of many solutions necessary to support family doctors and patients. As a result of advocacy efforts, the Government of Ontario announced funding for the creation or expansion of 18 primary care teams. The Ministry of Health and Ontario Health have now posted a call for Expressions of Interest for those who wish to create or expand a team.
The OCFP notes that while the $30 million in funding allocated for this initiative is a step in the right direction, it will not be enough to meet current demand and needs. However, we believe there may be an opportunity for further funding to become available pending the Federal Health Transfer to Ontario. A strong response to the Expression of Interest process could demonstrate further need for immediate supports and convey the magnitude of the issues family doctors and patients are facing.
We understand the application is lengthy and may be challenging for many physicians to complete, especially as you are already dealing with overwhelming administrative tasks and a lack of support. We have heard that some family doctors intend to submit a partial application so that the government can better understand the full scope of need for supports for family doctors.
Please see information below to support you through the application process.
Interprofessional Primary Care Teams will support communities with the greatest need to provide direct care to vulnerable and marginalized people as well as those without a family doctor in Ontario.
The Expression of Interest process is not targeting specific communities.
All physicians, regardless of current practise model, are encouraged to apply. This includes those not currently affiliated with an Interprofessional Primary Care Team.
Access the required Expression of Interest documents on the Ontario Health website in English or French.
Make a convincing case with detail demonstrating the needs and effectiveness of proposed programs and services.
Collect documentation to support the application, as noted within the Expression of Interest document.
Submissions should be sent to the relevant Ontario Health Region contacts (below) by email by June 16, 2023 at 5:00 pm (EDT).
It is anticipated that successful applicants will be announced in the Fall of 2023.
Ontario Health and the ministry will host two technical webinar sessions to guide applicants through the EOI form on Thursday, May 18 and a Q&A document has been developed.
Ontario Health will provide support to those who want to apply but may lack resources.
If you require assistance preparing or submitting applications, you can access assistance through the appropriate regional contact below.
Applicants are also encouraged to access support from OHTs and other family physician groups, FHTs and CHCs in your community.
Ahead of yesterday’s Expression of Interest release, the OCFP and SGFP advocated for changes to make the process easier for all family doctors to apply. We noted:
The application may pose a challenge to family doctors who do not have publicly funded administrative support.
Expanding and enhancing access to Interprofessional Primary Care Teams in Ontario cannot be achieved without meaningful and robust involvement of all family doctors, especially those in group or solo practices outside of FHTs or CHCs.
Family doctors are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of administrative burden and burn out.
This is only one of the several solutions required to address patient unattachment in Ontario.
We will continue to advocate strongly to ensure family doctors across all practice types have access to primary care team members – most notably to provide nursing, mental health and addictions counselling, as well as navigation support for complex patients and/or social determinants of health needs.
