On February 26th, a report entitled “Protecting Access and Quality in our Health Care System: Advice to Government on Funding and Capacity Planning Policy in Ontario” was presented to the Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The report was produced by OFCMHAP, together with its collaborating partners:

• The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA);
• The Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC);
• The Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS); and;
• The Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA)

The report is consistent with previous reports advocating for a service-based funding approach for providers. In addition, this new report advocates for a provincial and LHIN-level planning policy to ensure the system has the appropriate mix of capacities of services across all the sectors. This issue is particularly important now as we are heading into a period in which LHINs will be negotiating with service providers for funding and volume levels for the 2010/11 and 2011/12 fiscal years. The Health Based Allocation Model (HBAM) continues to be discussed as a tool for allocating funding from the Ministry to LHINs and it also has been used to allocate some funds to hospitals for growth and wait times. Nevertheless, at the present time there is no prescribed method in place to enable LHINs to allocate funding to providers in a consistent and effective way. Without further direction from the Ministry, in its Stewardship role, the system could be at risk of proceeding with different funding methodologies within each LHIN, with resultant inconsistent quality and access effects for patients across the province. Also, an Ontario-wide capacity planning methodology is required based upon leading practices regarding what is the most appropriate setting within which people should receive care. One has to look no further than our current alternate level of care situation with almost 20% of hospital patients in an inappropriate setting to recognize that we do not yet have the right mix of community services in this province to serve the people who live here. The Federation together with its partners will continue to promote action and collaboration on this issue, and looks forward to Ministry leadership in this regard.

Please find attached: Protecting Access and Quality Report
Protecting Access and Quality - Q & A's

For further information please contact David Kelly OFCMHAP416-490-8900 Ext. 22dkelly@ofcmhap.on.ca