Listening, Learning, and Acting: SGFP in Your Community

Dear SGFP Members,

Yesterday, we learned the OMA was presented with the arbitration decision. We’ll be reviewing the full document carefully, alongside the OMA, and will share further updates once we’ve had time to assess its implications for family physicians.

In the meantime, I want to update you on our ongoing efforts to strengthen member engagement. Last week, the SGFP Executive met in Belleville and expanded its September business meeting an extra day to visit members in four additional communities across OMA’s District 6. These conversations were invaluable, not because the themes were new, but because the realities on the ground were deeply clarifying.

Belleville, Bancroft, Peterborough, Picton and Quinte West: We heard you. Loud and clear.

You love being family physicians, but many of you have backup plans. Apathy, fatigue, and a lack of meaningful change are taking a toll. There’s a troubling erosion of respect for the profession. Administrative burdens are being downloaded from hospitals, OHTs, other professionals without consultation or concern. Engagement from OHTs and PCNs is largely absent or tokenistic, if they exist at all.

Despite over $2 billion earmarked to expand access to team-based care, many family physicians we spoke with were unaware of how to engage with these initiatives or what support they could request. In cases where family physicians were approached, OHTs often dictated plans that did not reflect the supports needed to increase patient attachment. Proposals led by family doctors to attach more patients were declined, with limited rationale provided.

These experiences point to a missed opportunity: the expertise and leadership of family physicians must be recognized and integrated if we are to meet the province’s attachment goals. SGFP will continue to advocate for meaningful inclusion and monitor how these investments translate into tangible support for our members.

We also heard concerns about fee-for-service lagging behind patient enrollment models, as well as concerns around FHO+. Here is some of what is in progress in this area:

• FFS: SGFP is actively working through the PPC (Physician Payment Committee) process advocating for fee increases. The PPC Report Draft #3 regarding the proposed fee increases is available on the OMA website.
• FHO+: SGFP, in collaboration with the OMA, is launching a billing education series, starting this fall. The first session, FHO+ Billing: Understanding New Codes, New Fee Values, and How to Bill Under FHO+, is now open for registration.
• All Compensation Models: Additional billing sessions will follow starting in early 2026, including FFS, FHG, and focused practices.

Your SGFP is listening. We are taking action, both to support you directly and to advocate with government, the OMA, and the regional structures you work within.

Thank you to every member who took the time to meet with us, your insights are shaping our path forward. I also want to gratefully acknowledge the members of the Executive who participated in this engagement on their own time.

Warm Regards,
Dr. Dave Barber
Chair, SGFP

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