North East LHIN Stands up to Diabetes

August 20, 2010 – When you stand up to diabetes, you don’t have to stand alone. Such was the theme of the Stand up to Diabetes tour which made stops in Sudbury and North Bay earlier this week. The tour, hosted by the Ontario Diabetes Strategy, set up booths in local malls to educate people on diabetes prevention and self-management while providing individuals with the opportunity to speak to a diabetes educator or dietician.Diabetes is prevalent in Northeastern Ontario where approximately 12% of the population (55,000) are directly affected by the disease, compared to 10% of Ontarians. The statistics are even more staggering for people living along the Hudson and James Bay Coast where 24% of the population live with diabetes every day. These alarming numbers call for local solutions to best meet the needs of people living in this part of the province.

The North East LHIN’s Diabetes Management Steering Committee is made up of clinical and information system leaders across the region. It guides the NE LHIN in meeting the deliverables of the Ontario Diabetes Strategy.

Following extensive consultation with committee members, several diabetes care programs were expanded in 2009 including the: Sudbury Diabetes Education and Care Program; Sudbury Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre; Moose Factory Patient Care and Diabetes Health Program; Little Current Health Access Centre; Timmins Community Health Centre; and Cutler Community Health Access.

Each site received a full-time Registered Nurse and a full-time Registered Dietician. In addition, the Sudbury Diabetes and Education and Care Program received NE LHIN support to expand their video conference program. This program gives people living in remote areas access to diabetes services without having to leave their home community.

As noted by Denise Boutet, a Nurse with the Sudbury Diabetes Education Program, “Many times in the past, clients who traveled long distances were upset, tired and worried what the weather would be like driving back to their hometown. With the videoconferencing, I notice that patients are more relaxed and feel that they have more time to discuss diabetes care issues that are of concern to them.“

Quotes:

Louise Paquette, CEO of the NE LHIN noted, “The NE LHIN is pleased to receive the expert advice of our Diabetes Management Committee. Their input helps to ensure that people living with diabetes in this part of the province benefit from local solutions and programs in the management of their health.”

Learn More: Cynthia Stables, NE LHIN Senior Corporate Advisor
cynthia.stables@lhins.on.ca
(705) 845-1887

Disponible en français.

– 30 –