44 New Diabetes Teams Are Part Of Early Intervention Strategy
TORONTO, Feb. 6 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is improving access to
diabetes care by adding 44 new education teams across the province to help
support people with diabetes, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George
Smitherman announced today.
"People living with diabetes must carefully monitor and manage their
health through a balance of lifestyle and medication," said Smitherman.
"Diabetes education teams are part of our government's early intervention
strategy to give patients the tools they need to better manage the disease so
that they can avoid diabetes-related complications and stay healthy."
The $9.8 million announced today will allow 44 new diabetes education
teams to help people improve their knowledge and skills to effectively manage
their disease. The teams consist of a registered nurse and a registered
dietician, who work through Family Health Teams, Community Health Centres or a
hospital.
Seventy-seven new diabetes teams have been created over the past year as
part of part of the McGuinty government's $53 million diabetes strategy that
focuses on diabetes education, early intervention and effective prevention of
complications.
"Today's announcement reinforces the government's commitment to funding
diabetes care that focuses on the essential management supports - diabetes
education, early intervention and prevention of complications," said Michael
Howlett, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. "For the more than
800,000 Ontarians living with diabetes, this announcement will make a real
difference for them and their families."
Smitherman also announced that the government has added a new diabetes
drug, Avandia, to the province's list of medicines covered by the Ontario Drug
Benefit Program. This was possible under the new conditional listing mechanism
created under Bill 102, the Transparent Drug System for Patients Act, 2006.
Avandia, used for the treatment of people with Type 2 diabetes, is one of 49
new drugs (including 23 new brand name products) added to the Ontario Drug
Benefit formulary since October, 2006.
Diabetes is a chronic condition resulting from the body's inability to
sufficiently produce and/or properly use insulin, which assists with the
conversion of glucose into energy. Without insulin, glucose cannot be
sufficiently absorbed from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. Chronic
high levels of blood glucose due to diabetes can lead to long-term damage,
dysfunction and failure of the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
The government has also recently announced other initiatives to improve
the quality of life for people living with diabetes, which included:- Investing $9.65 million toward the purchase of insulin pumps and
related supplies for children 18 and under who have Type 1 diabetes
- Adding the new drug, Actos, to the province's list of medicines
covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit Program under Bill 102's new
conditional listing mechanism.Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for
innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three
priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing
better access to doctors and nurses.
This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte
stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.
For more information on achievements in health care, visit:
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca.
Disponible en français.Backgrounder
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MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENING DIABETES CAREDiabetes is a chronic illness that affects more than 800,000 people in
Ontario. More than 60,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in Ontario.
The exact causes of diabetes are unknown. In most cases, both hereditary
and lifestyle factors are involved.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. A third type,
gestational diabetes, is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy.
If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety
of complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease,
impotence and nerve damage.
Diabetes Strategy in Ontario
Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that is costly to both the affected
individual and to society and requires the daily commitment of the individual
with diabetes to self-manage through a balance of lifestyle and medication.
Because of the complex nature of the disease, diabetes management
requires regular access to health care services to prevent long-term
complications.
The $53 million Ontario Diabetes Strategy is focused on diabetes
education, early intervention and effective prevention of complications.
Ontario's diabetes strategy includes the following initiatives:
The Pediatric Diabetes Initiative (PDI) for children with type 1 diabetes
was established to make appropriate education, treatment and follow-up
resources available to children with diabetes and their parents at 34 regional
programs across Ontario
The Diabetes Complications Prevention Strategy (DCPS) was created to
provide basic-level diabetes education programs in southern Ontario.
The Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Strategy was developed to address the
high rates of diabetes and related complications in Aboriginal people living
in Ontario.
The Northern Diabetes Health Network (NDHN) was established to address
the high rate of the disease and lack of services for it in Northern Ontario.
The network funds 39 diabetes education programs in large and small northern
communities.
Diabetes Education Teams
The 44 new education teams enhance Ontario's existing Diabetes Education
Program by supporting individuals with diabetes and improving access to care.
Each team will consist of a registered nurse and a registered dietitian.
The teams will ensure that diabetes programs and services provide a focus on
diabetes education, early intervention and effective prevention of
diabetes-related complications.
Educating patients is essential in the treatment of diabetes, and people
with diabetes are encouraged to take an active role in the day-to-day
management of their own health care. Self-care, however, requires that
patients have certain skills. These can be learned at one of Ontario's
Diabetes Education Programs, located in various Community Health Centres,
Family Health Teams or hospitals.
As well as promoting self-care, the team develops a special management
plan for each patient with the aim of relieving diabetes symptoms, preventing
or treating complications, and improving the quality of life.
Individuals can access services through a physician referral and/or a
self-referral by visiting a Diabetes Education Program.
For more information on diabetes, please visit the HealthyOntario.Com
website at: www.healthyontario.com/features/diabetes.htm
Disponible en français.www.health.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTING IN NEW DIABETES TEAMSThe McGuinty government is providing $9.8 million to create 44 new
education teams to help support people with diabetes. Listed below is a
breakdown of the funding:-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LHIN New Program Teams 2006/07
Funding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Creek Community
Central Health Centre 4 $909,043
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carefirst (Richmond Hill)
Central Family Health Team (FHT) 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Vaughan Community Health
Centre 2 $379,395
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brock Community Health
Central East Centre 2 $379,395
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oshawa Community Health
Central East Centre 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Hope Community
Central East Health Centre 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bramalea Community
Central West Health Centre 4 $861,965
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mel Lloyd
Central West (Shelburne) FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Champlain Bruyere Academic FHT 1 $213,237
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Champlain Eastern Ottawa FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ottawa Hospital
Champlain Academic FHT 1 $213,237
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erie St. Clair Chatham-Kent FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton Niagara Fort Erie/Colborne
Haldimand Brant Community Health Centre 2 $379,395
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Le Centre de santé
communautaire du
Hamilton Niagara Hamilton-Wentworth-
Haldimand Brant Niagara Inc. 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton Niagara
Haldimand Brant Niagara Medical Group FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton Niagara
Haldimand Brant Six Nations FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton Niagara St. Joseph's Healthcare
Haldimand Brant (Hamilton) 1 $213,237
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mississauga
Halton Credit Valley FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
South East Prince Edward FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
South East Queen's FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
South East Sharbot Lake FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Joseph's Health
Care(London) Family
South West Practice Unit 1 $213,237
------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Elgin Community
South West Health Centre 2 $379,395
------------------------------------------------------------------------
South West Woodstock General Hospital 1 $213,237
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Academic Clinicians
Management Services
(Sunnybrook Family
Toronto Central Practice Unit) 2 $425,223
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto Central Anishnawbe Health Toronto 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto Central Mount Sinai FHT 1 $213,237
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parkdale Community
Toronto Central Health Centre 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regent Park Community
Toronto Central Health Centre 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto Central Sherbourne FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto Central Taddle Creek FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's Health in
Toronto Central Women's Hands 1.5 $284,859
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waterloo
Wellington Two Rivers FHT 1 $190,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provincial Community
Health Centre Diabetes
Programs $900,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 44.5 $9,794,229
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Disponible en français.
www.health.gov.on.ca
For further information: Media Contacts: David Spencer, Minister's
Office, (416) 327-4320; A.G. Klei, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care,
(416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: 1-866-532-3161
