The Voice of Family Physicians in Scarborough

Implementing HPV Testing in the OCSP

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) transitioned to the human papillomavirus (HPV) test as the primary test for cervical screening on March 3, 2025. The HPV test will replace the Pap (cytology) test and will be used for follow-up testing in colposcopy. Key clinical changes include:

• Cervical screening will start at age 25.
• New screening intervals, referral indications for colposcopy, and cessation criteria will be implemented.
• HPV testing in colposcopy will determine eligibility for discharge and the recommended screening interval post-discharge.

Providers must use the new Ontario Cervical Screening Program requisitions for ordering HPV and cytology tests. Specimens must be collected using the ThinPrep® system; SurePath™ specimens will be rejected. All tests will be performed by LifeLabs, Dynacare, or North Bay Regional Health Centre.

For questions, contact Ontario Health toll-free at 1.866.662.9233 or email cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca

Measles recommendation from the Chief Medical Officer of Health 

Toronto Public Health recommends health care providers continue to follow all recommendations as outlined in TPH's recent "Measles Recommendations Ahead of March Break Travel" AND the CMOH's additional recommendation: 

Along with routine immunizations, the following is advised for individuals who live, work, travel (e.g., family visit), worship, or spend time in affected regions and communities with measles cases and where the risk of exposure is higher. 

• Infants (six to 11 months): Should receive one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two additional doses continue to be recommended after the age of one year.
• Children (one to four years): Children who have received their first dose of measles-containing vaccine are encouraged to receive a second dose as soon as possible (at a minimum of four weeks from the first dose).
• Adults (18+ years) born on or after 1970: A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended.

Unlock Efficiency: Get Your Fully Funded AI Scribe License – Apply Now!

Curious about how AI can benefit your clinical practice? Join the Health Care Unburdened Grant program.

Ambient scribe technology supports care clinics by transcribing patient-clinician conversations in real-time, enhancing medical record documentation, and potentially saving you up to 50% on your charting time.

Funded by Scotiabank in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and MD Financial Management Inc. (MD), the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto and Scarborough Ontario Health Team will support family practices in adopting Ambient Scribe technology as part of the Health Care Unburdened Grant (HCUG) program

Questions? contact: peter.gong@tehn.ca.

Help Shape the Future of Family Medicine in Toronto- Complete the Family Medicine/Primary Care Census

Are you looking to make a difference as a family doctor or nurse practitioner in Scarborough? Do you want to drive regional healthcare initiatives that directly impact your practice? Join the conversation and take part in the family medicine/primary care census. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win one of three $100 gift card. 

What’s in it for you? 

• Be part of a primary care workforce needs assessment in Toronto. 
• Ensure that money flows to your neighborhood according to its needs. 
• Be part of a collaborative effort to strengthen family medicine in Toronto. 

Questions? contact: DFCM.PrimaryCareCensus@utoronto.ca. 

Data-Driven Solutions: Enhancing Care for Unattached Patients

We are excited to invite you to a special event hosted by Ottawa OHT and INSPIRE-PHC on April 8 from 12:00-1:00 pm. This session will continue conversation on strategic initiatives for unattached patients and the use of data to inform and evaluate these initiatives.

Why Attend?

• Learn about innovative strategies to support unattached patients.
• Discover how data can be leveraged to improve patient outcomes.
• Engage with experts and peers in meaningful discussions.

Introducing Toronto’s Digital Health Desk

The Toronto Region is streamlining how primary care providers can access and adopt over 15 provincially funded digital health tools (including eConsult, eReferral, Health Report Manager and more) with the aim of reducing paper and fax-based workflows. Click on the link below to get started.

As of March 2025, the Toronto Region has 30 self-managed groups accessible through eConsult! Specialties include pediatrics, mental health, additions, internal medicine and more.

Rabies Vaccine Sparing Measures Lifted

Effective immediately, TPH has lifted all rabies vaccine sparing measures. Health care providers are reminded to conduct a risk assessment to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis is needed following an animal exposure/bite.

When conducting a risk assessment, HCPs should:

1. Contact TPH for assistance.
2. Follow the four-Ws approach:

• Where did the exposure occur? Rabies incidence varies within Ontario and globally. In Toronto, the risk from terrestrial animals is very low, but bats remain high risk.
• What type of animal was involved? Only mammals can be infected with rabies. Bats should be assumed infected unless tested negative. Small rodents rarely carry rabies. Outside Toronto, wild animals have a higher risk than domestic animals.
• Why did the exposure occur? Provoked exposures are normal behavior for terrestrial mammals. Unprovoked attacks may indicate rabies. Provocation is not considered for bat exposures.
• Who is the animal’s owner? TPH can contact the owner to observe the animal's health and immunization status, potentially avoiding unnecessary treatment.

Contact Ontario Health toll-free at 1.866.662.9233 or email cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca.

Shape the Future of Health Care in Scarborough: Share Your Feedback!

The Scarborough Ontario Health Team (SOHT) is excited to announce the launch of our Community Survey to support the Strategic Plan Refresh. This survey will not take more than 5-10 minutes.   All responses will remain confidential and will be used only to inform our strategic planning process.

We are looking for important information from partners and our community members in the Scarborough region to inform this process that will shape integration of health and community care in Scarborough.

Please share this survey with your networks.

For more information on SOHT’s Strategic Plan Refresh, please visit this page: (Home – Scarborough Ontario Health Team).

Become a Member of Scarborough Family Physicians Network