News
The Scope and Nature of Private Healthcare in Canada
by Katherine Fierlbeck
The intense debate pitting private versus public healthcare in Canada needs a reality check.
This Commentary provides clarity about the different forms of “private” healthcare and a comprehensive view of the current policy landscape defining the balance between public and private healthcare.
Attend Information Webinar re Call for Applications for New MRI & CT Licenses
Beginning Spring 2024, the Government is taking the next step in expanding the number of community surgical and diagnostic centres to expand patient access to OHIP-insured services closer to home, including more MRI/CT scans, GI endoscopies, and orthopedic surgeries based on regional need.
The Ontario Ministry of Health is extending an invitation for an open webinar on the upcoming MRI & CT Call for Applications for new Integrated Community Health Services Centre (ICHSC) licenses.
This invitation is being extended to existing licence holders, system partners, sector associations, and other interested parties to provide a forum for equal and open access to information about this Call.
Details of the webinar are as follows:
Date: April 24, 2024
Time: 4:00pm
Duration: 60 minutes
The webinar will include a general overview of timelines, the application process, some of the key eligibility requirements for the MRI & CT Call and will identify a forum for participants to provide comments and feedback.
There will also be upcoming webinars on the other Calls to provide additional information.
Please RSVP by April 23, 2024, to confirm your attendance. You can do so by clicking the RSVP link provided below. An invitation confirmation email will be sent prior to the event, with the webinar meeting link attached.
https://deloittecanada.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJY493ZowW3L1sy
We ask you to please share this link with any other parties who may be interested in participating.
If you have any questions about the webinar, please contact us at [email protected].
Thank you,
Integrated Community Health Services Centres Program
Health Insurance Branch
Ministry of Health | Ontario Public Service
P: 613-548-6637| F: 613-548-6734 | [email protected]
5th Floor, McDonald Cartier Building
49 Place d’Armes
P.O. Box 48 Stn Main,
Kingston ON K7L 5J3
Email letter to Tiffany Kautz, Accreditation Canada, from the ISDCO
April 3, 2024
I am writing on behalf of the Independent Surgical & Diagnostic Clinics of Ontario (ISDCO), the provincial industry association representing the interests of the ISHSC sector.
First off, congratulations on Accreditation Canada (AC) for now officially taking on the role of the new QA oversight organization for the sector. As was communicated to us in the recent videoconference facilitated by the Ministry, we understand that AC will shortly be distributing a new set of QA standards to ICHSCs.
Our association has been giving a lot of thought to the communications rollout to the clinic sector. We believe that there will be a need to convey both information and a certain amount of reassurance. A number of sector participants have expressed concern that institutional standards will be imposed on the community-based clinic sector.
In order to help address these concerns, the ISDCO would like to work with you in holding one or more virtual (or live) events, in which information (and reassurance) can be given. We would suggest holding a webinar very shortly after the release of the new QA standards. Moreover, our annual conference in the fall is always well attended by the clinic sector. As a result, we would invite AC to be a presenter at the upcoming annual conference. These events are traditionally held in a convention centre in the north part of the GTA.
Tiffany, please feel free to reach out to me, or to our executive director, Stephanie Bolton.
Best regards,
Jason Hartman, President, True North Imaging and Director, Independent Surgical & Diagnostics Clinics of Ontario
Concerns Regarding Regulatory Amendments Submitted
The Ministry has made regulatory amendments under the ICHSCA to support strengthened quality assurance, safety and inspections within the integrated community health service centres sector (ICHSCs). The ISDCO has heard the concerns expressed by clinic operators regarding aspects of these proposed changes that we believe may have negative and unintended consequences for the entire ICHSC sector. The ISDCO made a submission to the Ministry to express the areas of our concern.
Ontario Preparing for Clinic Expansion
Ontario is preparing for the next step in its expansion of private clinics that can offer publicly funded tests and procedures. Learn More.
Survey Results
The ISDCO conducted a provincial survey of community clinic operators during the first half of November 2023. The responses to this survey suggest that clinic operators are concerned about the financial health and the sustainability of the sector. The health and human resource crisis is expected to have a material impact on the ability of the sector to continue to perform its ‘share’ of provincial healthcare services. Clinic operators expect to have to match significant wage increases to be given to hospital-based staff [who already enjoy the benefits of participation in the HOOPP pension plan], or else risk losing staff. OHIP underfunded technical fee compensation concerns also remain an issue.
These compensation issues are now exacerbated by COVID-19 loan repayment obligations and the need to replace aging fleets of medical equipment.
These survey results suggest that funding initiatives from the Government may be necessary to ensure the sustainability of the clinic sector and to better balance the “playing field” with hospital-based providers.
Attached is the full submission.