Strategy Launched to Strengthen Connection between Family Medicine and Cancer Centres
Health Professionals Appointed to Lead Primary Care and Cancer Strategy
TORONTO (October 30, 2008) – Family physicians and nurses play a critical role in cancer screening and throughout the cancer journey. They greatly influence patient screening behaviours and help to make sure that the cancer system meets local patient care needs. Today, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) launched a Primary Care and Cancer Strategy to strengthen the connection between family medicine and the cancer system.“Engaging primary care across the cancer care continuum is an essential step in reducing the burden of cancer and improving care,” said Cancer Care Ontario President and CEO Terrence Sullivan. “Building and supporting this strategy will help to make sure that patients receive the best quality care every step of the way.”
As a key step in implementing the strategy, CCO has appointed a provincial lead for primary care and a regional lead in each Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). Together they form a Provincial Primary Care Network and act as local contacts for primary care providers and regional cancer centres in Ontario.
The members include:
Dr. Cheryl Levitt, Provincial Clinical Lead, Primary Care, CCO;
Dr. John Day, Erie St. Clair LHIN;
Dr. Sophie Wilson, Waterloo Wellington LHIN;
Dr. Michael Mills, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN;
Dr. Sandy Buchman, Toronto Central LHIN;
Dr. Marla Ash, Central LHIN;
Dr. Sheila-Mae Young, Central East LHIN;
Dr. Hugh Langley, South East LHIN;
Dr. Lee Donohue, Champlain LHIN;
Dr. Leslie Hutchings, North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN;
Dr. Amanda Hey, North East LHIN, and
Dr. Heather McLean, North West LHIN.
“This strategy will promote the voice of primary care in the cancer system and the voice of the cancer system in family practice,” said Dr. Cheryl Levitt, provincial clinical lead for primary care.
The strategy’s initial focus will be on improving screening and detection rates within the ColonCancerCheck program. From here, these methods will be applied to other screening programs.
Media Contact: Lenore Bromley, Sr. Public Affairs Advisor, Cancer Care Ontario
Phone : 416.971.9800 ext. 3383
Email : lenore.bromley@cancercare.on.ca
