Patients First Act Re-introduced to the Legislature - a plan to enable system transformation

On October 6, 2016, the Ontario Legislature reintroduced the Patients First Act, 2016 as Bill 41. Bill 41 is very similar to its predecessor, Bill 210, which was introduced in June 2016. As the government was prorogued in September, it was necessary to re-introduce any legislative issues that had not been passed by the end of the spring session. If passed, the Patients First Act, 2016 will significantly expand the role of Local Health Integration Networks ("LHINs") and the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care ("Minister") in the delivery of health care services in Ontario. The goal is to improve the patient’s experience of the provincial health care system by:
  • Giving Ontario's 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) an expanded role in improving and integrating planning and delivery of front-line health care services, directing more funding to patient care within the existing system. Specifically, the LHINs will assume responsibility for service delivery previous undertaken by the CCACs as well as health and social services, physician services and public health. 
  • Improving access to primary care for patients, such as a single number to call when they need health information or advice on where to find a new family doctor or nurse practitioner close to home. 
  • Improving local connections and communication between family doctors, nurse practitioners, inter-professional health care teams, hospitals, and home and community care to ensure a smoother patient experience. 
  • Ensuring that patients only have to tell their story once, by enabling health care providers to share and update their health care plans. 
  • Providing better patient transitions between acute, primary, home and community, mental health and addictions, and long-term care. 
  • Improving consistency of home and community care across the province. 
  • Strengthening health planning and accountability by monitoring performance and outcomes. 
  •  Establishing a formal relationship between LHINs and local boards of health, to ensure local communities have a stronger voice in health planning.

View government's press release.

The Bill is perceived to be “enabling” legislation. By amending many existing statutes, the Bill, if approved, will lay the foundation for significant structure and process changes within the health system that in time will allow for greater integration of services between primary care, acute care, home and community care and long-term care.

It is expected that the Bill will soon receive second reading and proceed to some consultative process will a goal to have Bill 41 approved by the new year. This would enable the beginnings of structural change by summer 2016 (e.g. transfer of CCAC operations to the LHINs).

Implications for Occupational Therapists

Bill 41 sets the stage for significant system transformation, initially introduced in the Ministry of Health document Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario , issued in December 2015. OSOT’s response to this policy direction has been generally supportive, notwithstanding we recognize the significant need for investment in change management processes to support patients, families and health care providers as the system undergoes change. View OSOT’s response.

While the MOHLTC has assured that service contracts and service delivery models in the home and community sector (CCAC services transferred to LHINs) will remain unchanged initially, the legislation creates a platform for future reform. OSOT and occupational therapists will be well positioned if we are able to position occupational therapists’ contributions to strategic priorities of the system and promote evidence and models of service delivery that can ensure we delivery value adding services to Ontarians who need them.

OSOT’s Teams engaged in publicly funded services are reviewing potential implications and future opportunities. Input from members is always appreciated and helps ensure that our planning is informed with perspectives and experience from across the province.  Send your feedback or insights.