The program is part of an Agreement between the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and the Department of Health and Community Services. This agreement recognizes that improved population health and health system sustainability will require a renewed focus on primary health care reform, and on family practice reform, in particular, and that, family physicians have an important role to play in the improvement and full integration of primary care and primary health care services and supports.

Our Mission – Transforming family practice for better health.

Our Vision – Family physicians, primary health care providers, and patients working together for an effective and sustainable system.

Our Principles

• Patient-centered services and supports
• Collaborative interdisciplinary teams
• Coordination of care
• Comprehensiveness of care
• Access to appropriate services and supports
• Attachment and longitudinal relationships
• Communities of practice
• Community engagement and a local focus
• Continuous evaluation and evidence-based decision making

There are three core initiatives:

• Family Practice Networks (FPNs) are non-profit corporations, comprised of and led by family physicians.  Family Practice Networks (FPNs) provide mechanisms to address local physician and practice issues and ultimately aid in physician recruitment and retention. FPNs also enable community-based family physicians, in collaboration with their Regional Health Authorities, to identify and address common health care goals/gaps in local communities, and in so doing, improve delivery of primary health care services.
• The Practice Improvement Program supports evidence-based change management in a variety of target areas that support the transformation of family practice for better health. Key PIP programs include MyQ and MyPractice.
• The Fee Code Program. Enhancements to the fee for-service schedule, through a Fee Code Initiative program, are intended to achieve patient, physician, and health system benefits such as comprehensive care, collaboration with other providers, and improvements in patient access. There are now 250+ family physicians registered to access FPRP codes for shared care, telephone, and enhanced care of patients with COPD.

The program is voluntary.

Physicians have the opportunity to participate within individual program areas of their choosing. Participation enables physicians to address some of their family practice challenges, including:

• Fee codes to better manage increasing needs of chronic disease patients;
• Support to collaborate and communicate with other providers and patients;
• Formal organized physician lead groups to address common practice needs across geographic areas; and
• Dedicated practice supports, including resources to support you with practice management and clinical needs.

FPN Executive Directors

• Trina Ralph, Shalloway FPN, Executive Director
• Deborah Wearn, RE-Boot FPN, Executive Director
• Stephen Wan, Long Range, Executive Director
• Adam Wylie, Endeavor FPN, Executive Director

Ian Hodder

B. Sc. (Health Education, B. Ed., Masters, Adult Learning)
Senior Program Consultant, Family Practice Networks

Ian is the Senior Program Consultant,  responsible for the design, development, and operations support for Family Practice Networks and Collaborative Services Committees, as well as evaluation of all related programs & activities. As well, he is responsible for leadership and stakeholder engagement with physician groups.

Contact Ian Hodder
tel. (709) 702-3706
tf. (800) 563-2003
e. ihodder@nlma.nl.ca

Emily Hynes

BSW, RSW
Program Coordinator (FPN)

Emily is the Family Practice Network Program Coordinator responsible for coordinating and providing operational support to common initiatives and projects across each Family Practice Network (FPN) and Collaborative Services Committee (CSC). She is responsible for conducting FPN and CSC project research , logistical support, as well as FPN policy and governance training development.

Contact Emily Hynes
tel. (709) 702-6718
tf. (800) 563-2003
e. ehynes@nlma.nl.ca

Francine Synyard

Administrative Assistant

Francine leads all program office administrative tasks, providing support to program staff, from program documentation & development, communication updates, coordinating with Newfoundland & Labrador Medical Association, Government, Regional Health Authorities, other Stakeholders for needed information, and coordinating meetings for the Family Practice Renewal Committee, related sub-committees, and Collaborative Service Committees.

Contact Francine Synyard
tel. (709) 702-6695
tf. (800) 563-2003
e. fsynyard@nlma.nl.ca