Highlights
Approved funding for real-time virtual support services in 2023/24 supported physicians and other health care providers to provide culturally safe virtual primary care services, including extended hours and increased access to care for those who have difficulties travelling. While respectfully acknowledging the capacity and priorities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit across the province, the Ministry of Health is committed to improving collaboration and representation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners to support improvements to the availability and accessibility of primary care-funded virtual care services.
- From the start of implementation on April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2024, there were 42,098 First Nations virtual doctor of the day (FNvDOD) encounters.
- From implementation on August 17, 2020 to March 31, 2024 there were 6,779 First Nations virtual substance use and psychiatry services (FNvSUPs) encounters.
- From April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, approximately 23,386 (11,846 for FNvDOD and 2,207 for FNvSUPS) inbound and outbound calls were managed by MOAs, nurses, wellness liaisons, mental health care coordinators and registered clinical counsellors.
- From patient satisfaction surveys from November 10, 2022 to March 31, 2024, over 93% of users accessing the FNvDOD service reported satisfaction with their appointment, and over 94% of users indicated they would recommend the service to their family and friends.
- From patient satisfaction surveys from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, over 93% of users accessing the FNvDOD service reported satisfaction with their appointment and over 93% of users indicated they would recommend the service to their family and friends.
- From patient satisfaction surveys from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, over 92% of users accessing the FNvSUPS service reported satisfaction with their appointment and over 92% of users indicated they would recommend the service to their family and friends
- The Indigenous cultural safety and humility working group between the Ministry of Health and the First Nations Heath Authority (FNHA) has committed to examining and refreshing the Declaration Act standards, recommendations and calls to action into primary and community care; this will include 1) implementing cultural safety and humility recommendations and standards into daily practice by creating a toolkit of resources that reference college standards for primary and community care; 2) Supporting committees and working groups that inform primary and community care across the province to implement cultural safety and humility tools, recommendations and standards into the practices and engagement approaches, including supporting PCNs; 3) Develop a provincial community of practice comprised of existing groups working towards cultural safety and humility across the healthcare continuum, to support collaboration, reduce duplication, and inform best practices; 4) Develop a strategic workplan that defines the goals, objectives and outcomes the working group will seek to achieve with metrics to monitor the improvement of cultural safety and humility across primary and community care.
How are we working together?
Collaborative partner meetings with the First Nations Health Authority to support program implementation and oversight. Planning for engagement with First Nations, Métis and Inuit health care providers and patients to provide feedback on their experience, outcomes, and opportunities to improve primary care funded virtual care services.
Are there challenges?
Funding is currently derived from COVID-19 contingency budget, with long term base funding to be determined.
Previous years’ progress
2022/2023 progress details
Highlights
Approved funding for Real-Time Virtual Support services in 2022/23 supported physicians and other healthcare providers to provide culturally safe virtual primary care services including extended hours and increased access to care for those who have difficulties travelling.
Indicators
- Implementation project underway: All Service plans reviewed and funding letters issued (100%).
- Indigenous patient satisfaction rates: From patient satisfaction surveys, over 90% of users accessing the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day service report satisfaction with their appointment and over 95% of users indicate they would recommend the service to their family and friends.
- Implementation project underway: From implementation in April 2020 to March 31, 2023, there were 30,123 First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day encounters. From implementation in August 2020 to March 31, 2023, there were 4,483 First Nations Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service encounters.
How are we working together?
Regular, ongoing and collaborative partner meetings with the First Nations Health Authority to support program implementation and oversight. Planning for engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis health care providers and patients to provide feedback on their experience, outcomes and opportunities to improve primary care funded virtual care services.
Are there challenges?
Funding for Real-Time Virtual Support services ends in March 2024, as it is currently funded out of COVID-19 contingency funds from Treasury Board. Sustainment and expansions of this service will require identification of base funding to ensure it is a fully funded operation.