Thursday, February 14, 2008
South West Local Health Inegration Network and The South West Community Care Access Centre
South West LHIN and the South West Community Care Access Centre announce the launch of Partnerships for Health – A Diabetes Prevention and Management Demonstration Project
LONDON, ON – Diabetes is a serious and growing
problem. Six per cent of Ontarians have the
disease, which contributes to heart disease, stroke
and amputation. Some 50,000 new cases are
diagnosed each year. Yet nine out of ten cases of
adult-onset diabetes can be prevented with proper
diet and lifestyle.
It is facts like these that underpin a new pilot
project in southwestern Ontario, Partnerships
for Health, designed to provide better care for
patients who have diabetes or may be at risk of
developing the disease. This innovative project is
being launched with the full support and funding
from the Ontario Ministry of Finance’s
Strengthening Our Partnerships program, in
partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-term Care.
“We know that diabetes is a growing problem,” says
Sandra Coleman, Executive Director of the South
West Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). “We
also know that the right care at the right time can
help prevent diabetes or avoid serious
complications. Working together in new ways, we
can make a real difference.”
The demonstration project will bring together
primary care providers, the CCAC, the South
West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN),
local hospitals, diabetes education programs,
diabetes specialists and the Thames Valley
Family Practice Research Unit to develop test and
evaluate new approaches to care. There are three
key elements to the plan:
- Stronger partnerships between family doctors,
CCAC case managers and other health care
providers to support people with diabetes
- Resources to empower and support patients in
managing their own diabetes
- Information Technology systems to support
communication and integration among primary
health care providers, specialists, hospitals and
patients.
Kim VanWyk RN is administrative lead for the
project at the Clinton Family Health Team, one of
three currently involved in the project. “We are
very excited to be part of this,” she says. “Common
algorithms, more continuity of care, and a team-
based approach will mean better care for all
patients,” she says. “This is a great opportunity for
our Family Health Team to learn from our CCAC
partners and others who are more experienced in
working as part of a care team.”
The project will be carefully evaluated and if
successful, will provide a model for other chronic
diseases. “This is a very promising part of the
Ministry’s overall strategy to transform health care
in Ontario,” says Kelly Gillis, Senior Director
Planning, Integration and Community
Engagement, South West LHIN. “Through this
project, the South West LHIN will have a real
impact on how care is delivered across Ontario
and beyond.”
“This project is a perfect example of what can be
accomplished when there is inter-ministerial
collaboration and a willingness among health
service providers to put the needs of the people in
our communities above all else”, says Carol
Mitchell, MPP Huron Bruce. “I am particularly
pleased that health care providers in this riding
have the opportunity to help shape the future of
health care in Ontario.”
Media Backgrounder
For more information contact :
Annabelle Mackey
South West LHIN
519 672-0445, ext. 225 / 1 866 294-5446
annabelle.mackey@lhins.on.ca
Sandra Coleman, Executive Director
South West CCAC
519 641-5496
sandra.coleman@sw.ccac-ont.ca
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