T. Rowland, Tillsonburg Medical Clinic, provided an overview of the advantages of the family health organization (FHO) model.
T. Rowland indicated that the FHO model is done by way of rostering patients and the Ministry of Health imposes a minimum capacity of patients to be rostered, however, more than the minimum can be taken on. Physicians can see un-rostered patients on a fee-for-service type basis if required. Patients can be de-rostered if they are seeing outside providers. If a patient goes to the emergency department this is not a negation, however, a walk-in clinic visit could be. The Tillsonburg Medical Clinic has capacity to bring in two full-time physicians in their space. Benefits of the model include: continuation of care and preventative care. Under this model, physicians are required to complete a certain number of after hours service.
W. Cheng provided an overview on the advantages of the FHO model. There was a discussion on attracting new physicians to Town. It was suggested that new physicians want to be part of a team-based model. It was discussed that under the FHO model physicians are encouraged to provide services such as: palliative house calls, obstetrics and nursing home care in lieu of mandatory after hour or weekend clinic services. Under other models, the after hour and weekend clinics are required with no exceptions. It was suggested that bringing medical students to Town to mentor them and showing them "The Tillsonburg advantage" would be a good recruitment strategy. The Tillsonburg Medical Centre would like to make Tillsonburg a permanent teaching centre.
Mayor Gilvesy asked the group that if any member ever wants a messaging brought forward to the Provincial government to please let her know as this can be done through the Town's participation in municipal delegations at conferences.
N. Facca to bring back data regarding statistics on non-emergency visits to the emergency room.
N. Facca and M. Bastow left the meeting at 12:57 p.m.
T. Rowland to send L. Pickersgill a list of the Ministry of Health requirements under the FHO model of care.
A representative from the Tillsonburg Medical Clinic will join the Committee moving forward.