News Release Ontario Launches Diabetes Strategy $741 Million Plan
Will Make Patients Partners In Care
Ontario is investing $741 million in new funding on a
comprehensive diabetes strategy over four years to prevent, manage
and treat diabetes.
The strategy includes an online registry that will enable better
self-care by giving patients access to information and educational
tools that empower them to manage their disease. The registry will
also give health care providers the ability to easily check patient
records, access diagnostic information and send patient alerts. The
registry is set to come online starting Spring 2009.
Other key elements of the strategy include :
Improving access to insulin pumps and supplies for more than 1300
adults with type 1 diabetes by funding these services for people
over the age of 18. Expanding chronic kidney disease services,
including greater access to dialysis services. Implementing a
strategy to expand access to bariatric surgery. Educational
campaigns to prevent diabetes by raising awareness of diabetes risk
factors in high risk populations, such as the Aboriginal and South
Asian communities. Increasing access to team-based care closer to
home by mapping the prevalence of diabetes across the province and
the location of current diabetes programs in order to align services
and address service gaps.
Ontario’s diabetes strategy will help tackle a growing – and
expensive – health care challenge. The number of Ontarians with
diabetes has increased by 69 per cent over the last 10 years – and
is projected to grow from 900,000 to 1.2 million by 2010. Treatment
for diabetes and related conditions such as heart disease, stroke,
and kidney disease currently cost Ontario over $5 billion each year.
The strategy will support Ontario’s two top health-care
priorities of improving access to care and reducing emergency wait
times.
QUOTES
“Our plan will help Ontarians living with diabetes get better
access to the care they need, when and where they need it,” said
David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “By improving
the way we prevent, treat and manage diabetes, thousands of
Ontarians will benefit from a better quality of life. The diabetes
registry will change the way this disease is managed, ultimately
saving more lives and easing hospital wait times.”
“We will provide better access to information, programs and
services to prevent people from getting diabetes in the first
place,” said Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion. “There is
solid evidence that tells us that many cases of diabetes can be
prevented by increasing daily physical activity and making healthy
food choices.”
“The Canadian Diabetes Association applauds the Government of
Ontario’s continued commitment to investing in a diabetes strategy
for Ontarians,” said Cynthia Lees, Interim President and Chief
Executive Officer, Canadian Diabetes Association. “This new strategy
will provide an estimated 900,000 Ontarians with diabetes the tools
they require to effectively manage their disease.”
"Doctors are working with their patients to help prevent the
complications from chronic conditions such as diabetes,” said Dr.
Ken Arnold, President, Ontario Medical Association. “It is essential
that patients who are living with diabetes are able to access the
necessary treatment and resources to ensure they are able to manage
their disease and stay healthy."
“The diabetes strategy takes the most up-to-date research and
best practices from around the world and matches them with the needs
of diabetes patients in Ontario,” said Dr. Catherine Zahn, chair of
the Diabetes Expert Panel. “This will mean better care for diabetes
patients across the province.”
"Dietitians of Canada is pleased that the Ontario government is
investing in a diabetes strategy,” said Helen Haresign, Vice
President Development, Dietitians of Canada. “Healthy eating is a
key factor for prevention and management of diabetes and improved
access to registered dieticians gives Ontarians better support to
manage their own care.”
QUICK FACTS
Diabetes puts people at risk for other serious health
complications such as heart disease and stroke, kidney and eye
disease and limb amputations. A diabetes patient costs Ontario’s
health care system over $3,000 in the first year of treatment. If
the patient has complications this cost goes up to over $5,000.
For each patient that requires in-hospital dialysis, the cost to
the Ontario health care system over the course of a year is more
than $56,000.
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