Our upcoming AGM represents the realization of a vision and hundreds of hours of work by the AGM committee to bring together a completely new academic and networking event, which can compete with international conferences in terms of content and speakers. If you have not registered, then read no further and get it done now! You will also have seen the newly designed website and our new Peer Mentor Forum which I would urge you to explore and join.
18 months ago the new OHIP + was announced with a fanfare, and it seemed that this was a positive step for all young patients. Move forward to this month and we discover a revised two tier system which discriminates against young patients who have any sort of medical insurance and which will undoubtedly financially disadvantage some families. Please refer to our website for FAQs on OHIP+.
The ORA strongly recommended that the need for some children to apply for Trillium was unfair and overly complex but our contribution to the consultation process sadly did not result in a better outcome. If your patients are disadvantaged by the new model we would like to hear from you – please write to me or Denis Morrice.
I am truly disappointed by the new OHIP+. Trillium may seem simple to many, but an application requires access to a process and a level of literacy, that many patients do not have. In addition it is recognized that many pharmacists and doctors have a rudimentary and often incorrect perception of who can apply for Trillium. For those who are unsure please refer to the guide below which you can print out to show your patients.
This will be my last letter as President. I wish to thank the ORA Board for their considerable patience and kindness as they mentored me through the last three years, but most of all I wish to thank Sandy Kennedy who has been the beating heart of the ORA since she started, and who has guided me on a daily basis.
