Media Advisory - Cancer Quality Council of Ontario releases Annual Report on
Ontario's Cancer System Quality

TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care will join in the launch of the 2010 Cancer System Quality Index (CSQI).

The Cancer Quality Council of Ontario's 2010 CSQI presents a rolling snapshot of activity in approximately 30 key indicators that measure progress against one of seven dimensions of quality to focus efforts to improve Ontario's cancer system. The indicators cover the spectrum of cancer from prevention through end-of-life care. The 2010 Index includes new indicators relating to treatment quality, modifications to the way systemic therapy and surgical wait times are reported, and the addition of a dimension of equity to prevention measures.

The Index uses four stories to examine patient experience and system functioning to highlight what is working well and what needs improvement. Since the release of the 2009 Index, Ontario has seen improvements to pathology reporting and further reductions in radiation wait times.

    
    Speakers:

           -  The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term
              Care (Minister Matthews will be available for questions during
              the Question and Answer Period)
           -  Dr. Robert Bell, President and CEO, University Health Network
           -  Terrence Sullivan, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario

    When:     Thursday, May 27, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

    Where:    Cancer Care Ontario
              620 University Avenue, 15th Floor Boardroom
              Toronto, ON

    Agenda:

    10:00 a.m. - Opening Remarks, Dr. Robert Bell, President and CEO,
                 University Health Network
    10:05 a.m. - The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and
                 Long-Term Care
    10:15 a.m. - CSQI Report and Findings, Dr. Robert Bell, President and
                 CEO, University Health Network
    10:25 a.m. - Addressing the Findings, Terrence Sullivan, President and
                 CEO, Cancer Care Ontario
    10:35 a.m. - Question and Answer Period
    10:45 a.m. - Adjourn
    

For further information: Media Contact: Ron MacInnes, Sr. Communications Specialist, Cancer Care Ontario, [phone] ext. 3788, [email protected]