Tonia Cockburn, right, Advanced Practice Physiotherapist at the Joint Assessment Centre in the North Bay Regional Health Centre; and Dr. Aaron Van Vliet, left, orthopaedic surgeon; reunite with Cynthia Wideman, centre, last week. Cynthia says both individuals were key to her positive experience with the NE LHIN-funded Joint Assessment Centre.

April 16, 2013 – “Excruciating” is the word that Cynthia Wideman of North Bay uses to describe the pain she was feeling in her right hip when she climbed stairs at the end of last year.

Now, thanks to the speedy work of the North East Joint Assessment Centre (NE JAC) and placement with a first available local surgeon, she’s already back to work.

“Once they told me I had to have a hip replacement, I was totally blown away that it was done in four months,” Cynthia, 60, said last week on her second day back to work. She hadn’t known there was a NE JAC until her doctor’s office referred her there.

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW? Award-Winning Documentary re: Huntington’s Disease

What if you carried a gene that was responsible for a neurological disease that would mean the slow but certain degeneration of your mind and body? What if you knew that you would pass that gene on to your children? As predictive genetic testing becomes more and more advanced, the question many will be asked is “do you really want to know?”

TVO is proud to present the Ontario premiere of the award-winning documentary Do You Really Want to Know? The film follows three families who have been confronted with the decision of whether or not to be tested for Huntington’s Disease (HD) – a degenerative neurological illness that is akin to having ALS, Schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s all at the same time and is one of the first diseases for which accurate and conclusive testing can be done - before the onset of any symptoms.

Unlike other genetic diseases, HD is not a random configuration of genes from both parents. Instead the Huntington gene is a dominant one that is transmitted directly from parent to child. If you don’t have the gene, you can’t get it and you can’t pass it on. But if you do have the gene, you will develop HD.

The film shows how for some people learning that they do not have the gene causes a tremendous sense of guilt over being spared while other family members are not so fortunate. Meanwhile, others find the prospect of facing a terminal illness to be a transformative experience that motivates and focuses them.

Since there are now over 4,000 disorders with a known genetic basis, an estimated sixty percent of the population will experience a disease with a genetic component making ‘do you really want to know?” a more and more relevant question for all of us.

When you register, please ensure you have received a confirmation email of registration. If you do not receive a confirmation please re-register

Some key achievements include achieving LHIN deliverables within first year of operation, building strong relationships with regional partners, becoming an official affiliate of the Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario and have led the development of several successful capacity building and educational initiatives across the northeast. For example, in 2010, the first ever geriatrician-led falls prevention and functional enhancement program was offered in Greater Sudbury, successfully administered by NESGS. For more information, please visit www.greatersudbury.ca.

The City of Greater Sudbury is pleased to announce the successful recruitment of Dr. James Chau, who will serve as Care of the Elderly physician for the North East Specialized Geriatric Services (NESGS).

“The successful recruitment of yet another physician speaks to the success of the North East Specialized Geriatric Services,” said Catherine Matheson, General Manager of Community Development. “Since the program’s inception in 2009 elderly patients in the North East have been receiving specialized care in their communities via a compassionate and caring team.”

The program is administratively managed by the City of Greater Sudbury. It consists of a multidisciplinary team of health care providers who provide specialized care for seniors with complex health needs, as well as expert resources for health care professionals and caregivers throughout Northeastern Ontario. The team's direction is guided by the North East Specialized Geriatric Services Advisory Panel, a group of health experts from across the region, chaired by City of Greater Sudbury Councillor Ron Dupuis.

“The North East Specialized Geriatric Services collaborates with many health care providers from all over northeastern Ontario,” added Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, Medical Director of the program. "Welcoming Dr. Chau to our team will allow us to care for our patients in a more timely manner, meeting a very real need for the care of seniors in the Northeast.”

The Sudbury & District Health Unit’s School Health Promotion Team would like to announce that our newly created “Decompress your Stress Relaxation CD” is now available to students and educators on our SDHU website. The CD tracks can be downloaded in both the elementary and secondary resource sections under educators.

This resource was created by youth for youth to help students cope with their stress in a healthy way. The youth volunteers not only wrote, recorded and produced twelve exercises in both French and English, they also created the artwork and selected the music for the CD. Copies of the CD are also available by calling our School Health Promotion line at 705.522.9200, ext. 393.

Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle is urging local organizations to apply for government funding for community projects led or inspired by seniors.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program offers up to $25,000 for programs that promote volunteerism among seniors and other generations, engage seniors in the community through mentoring, expand awareness of elder abuse, support senior inclusion and provide financial assistance for community programs for seniors.

Those eligible include not-for- profit organizations, municipalities, school boards, educational institutions, First Nations communities and public health and social service community-based coalitions.

Twelve to 14 people will soon have a direct pipeline to the top administrators at Health Sciences North.

Sudbury's hospital is looking for people who have been hospitalized recently, or had loved ones who were, to become members of the new CEO Patient and Family Advisory Council.

The council will offer residents an opportunity to tell Health Sciences North brass about their own hospital experiences and how they could have been better.

Members will also be encouraged to act as the eyes and ears of hospital administrators, reporting concerns and ideas expressed by people from the community.

Dr. Denis Roy, president and chief executive officer of Health Sciences North, says the idea for the council was in the planning stage when a particular event convinced him of the need for such a committee.

Roy won't say what that event was, but he promises to share details about it in September when the council meets for the first time.

The council will reflect the new focus in Ontario hospitals on care that is centred on patients and not providers.

Roy points to a recent example at Health Science North where that focus helped reduce the wait time for magnetic resonance imaging by months.

Tyler Speck and his diagnostic imagining department undertook a review of the process from the time an MRI for a patient is ordered until it is completed. By eliminating 64 unnecessary steps, wait times fell from 109 days to 21 days.

Since his arrival in Sudbury almost 2 1/2 years ago, Roy has been determined to make Health Sciences North a world-class research, academic and health centre. But he also has his eye on the day-to-day goings-on at the hospital that make for a good -- or bad -- patient experience.

Roy is excited about the council, which he will chair, and to which hospital chief operating officer Joe Pilon, clinical program vice-president David McNeil and finance vice-president Ben Petersen will belong.

Roy said his enthusiasm for the council is, in part, because he likes to talk to people. It's also "because I believe in quality. I don't like to read or hear on radio we've had 6,000 complaints and some of them are related to the way people communicate with each other."

The council won't be a complaints committee, Roy is quick to point out. The hospital has another process for that.

Members will be asked to draw upon their own or their families' experiences "to tell us what and how we can change things.

"Now, if they ask us to build four floors over the centre tower," said Roy, "that's not going to happen. But we can do a lot of things."

Evidence is growing that involving patients more in their care increases their satisfaction with their hospital and reduces medical errors by a whopping 62%.

For instance, Roy is bullish about patients insisting hospital personnel wash their hands before and after they touch them. Adherence to that simple practice can reduce the spread of infection and save lives.

Two years ago, Roy urged patients to outright ask their hospital doctors and nurses if they had washed their hands after seeing their last patients.

Vigilant and involved patients can also spot one of the most common mistakes in hospital -- dispensing the wrong medication at the wrong time or to the wrong patient.

"What I hope is that patients or their families won't be afraid any longer to tell people, 'The colour of that pill is not the same colour I take at home,' " or perhaps, 'It's funny. Your hands are not wet,' " as they are examined.

Roy admits it won't be easy to become patient-centred rather than provider-focused, but it has to start somewhere.

Roy has already begun consulting with community groups such as CARP and Friendly to Seniors, and has invited two patients to sit on hiring committees at the hospital's cancer program.

The hospital launched an advisory council in its Family and Child Program, and each hospital program will eventually have its own, reporting to the CEO council.

The CEO council will meet at least four times a year and meetings will be closed. Members will have to sign confidentiality agreements. Roy said patients may be reluctant to speak about their own and others' hospital experiences if reporters or members of the public are present.

The public will hear about the council's work when Roy presents regular reports to the hospital's board of directors.

The hospital will advertise the criteria for ideal candidates, but the first qualification is a willingness to talk about their own and others'

Members will serve for two years, renewable for a year contingent upon them or family members having a hospital experience in the last 12 months. Ideal members must:

Be able to articulate their interests, concerns and perspective in ways others can learn from.

Cathexis Consulting is conducting consultations to find out what measures should be looked at to learn the impact Ontario’s accessibility standards have on persons with disabilities. We want to focus on the things that are most important to people with disabilities in order to measure whether the legislation and standards are improving their quality of life.

In order to make sure that what is being measured is meaningful to people with disabilities, we want to hear about the things that make your life better.

What’s in it for me?

What is involved?

· You can participate through face-to-face consultation meetings, a survey, a blog or a written submission

· If you want to participate, please complete an application form and email it to Mathew@cathexisconsulting.ca or mail it to:

· On the application form, please indicate the method of participation you want

· We will get in touch with you and let you know the next steps you need to take to participate

Participation is voluntary . . .

§ You can stop your participation at any time. You simply need to indicate that you do not want to continue. You do not need to give any reasons for not wanting to continue.

Confidentiality

All information will be confidential. Your responses will be combined with the responses of others, so your input will not be identified with you in any way.

If you are interested in participating in a face-to-face consultation, please provide the additional information

Ottawa: June 14^th, 2012 at the Travelodge Hotel Ottawa and Conference Centre

The meeting will be 2 hours in length. Please tell us what you need to participate in the meeting:

You are invited to attend / receive resources on a new national initiative coming to two communities in the north-east!

The Caregiver Toolkit is comprised of two resources designed to support family/friend caregivers of older adults. The Service Provider’s Resource Guide provides evidence-informed information and tools about caregiver assessment and interventions, and resources and suggestions to address issues in case management. The Caregiver Policy Lens is an evidence-informed principle-based framework for examining policies, programs and practices that affect caregivers of older adults, from the perspective of caregivers and in order to avoid any unintended negative effects on caregivers.

These resources are designed to be used by a diversity of front line workers, program managers, policy analysts, administrators, health educators, advocates, and anyone interested in strengthening caregiver resiliency through service provision to address caregiver needs across Canada.

We are excited to bring this resource to your community! We will be providing a free 3-hour introduction on how to use the CGPL, the benefits of using the CGPL, and examples of how organizations and governments across Canada are using this resource to ensure inclusion of caregiver voice and needs. There are no costs associated with this workshop but you are required to pre-register. To register, please contact Robert Spicer, PRC at: Bob.Spicer@nbrhc.on.ca . We look forward to seeing you in:

You can find the Caregiver Policy Lens and other resources to support Canadian caregivers at: www.caregivertoolkit.ca

These resources were developed by Dr. Penny MacCourt, through the BC Psychogeriatric Association, with funding from the Government of Canada.

December 15, 2011 – Sudbury – 211, the helpline for community and social service

residents can search online at www.211ontario.ca. With the launch of 211 to Sudbury,

The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Treatment Program at Health Sciences North would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you our new program name as the

The Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (VIPP) will now encompass several aspects of care and treatment for persons experiencing violence. This new program now will have three distinct services; The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Treatment (DV/SAT), Program, the Pediatric Abuse Referral and Evaluation (PARE) Program and the Voices for Women – Sexual Assault Center (SSAC).

The Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Treatment (DV/SAT) program will provide 24/7 medical treatment, forensic evidence collection and counselling to adult men and women experiencing intimate partner violence and sexual assault. This program can be accessed by calling VIPP directly at 705-675-4743 during business hours between 9am and 5pm or by accessing the emergency department at Health Sciences North. A nurse is on-call 24 hours a day , 7 days a week..

The Pediatric Abuse Referral and Evaluation (PARE) Program focuses on providing medical treatment, forensic evidence collection for children under the age of 16 who are the victims of sexual abuse and physical assault. This program provides 24/7 emergency treatment as well as an outpatient clinic. The PARE program also offers specialized pediatric sexual abuse counselling. If there is any risk to a child or if the child needs immediate medical attention they can be sent to the Emergency Department at Health Sciences North where a PARE nurse is on call 24/7. If your referral is non-acute or if you are seeking counselling for the child you can call directly to VIPP, an intake will be completed and either a nurse or counsellor will return your call for follow-up care.

Voices for Women – Sexual Assault Center will be our new community based Sexual Assault Centre located at 96 Larch Street, offering sexual assault counselling services for women. This program’s focus will also include community education and outreach. The SSAC will have a resource library, drop in center and workshops promoting safety and wellness for the women of our community and region. It is the intent of this program to be up and running by March 2012 in its new location.

Until then it is important to us to have available services for all women experiencing sexual abuse. If you have someone disclosing sexual violence and they are requesting assistance either in the form of counselling or support services they can contact the VIPP program directly at 705-675-4743 and we will provide all available options of care and support. Please do not direct these women to the emergency department as they may endure unnecessary waits and potential misdirection.

We look forward to the “drop in” opportunities of the Larch Street location, until then we are asking that women call the VIPP Program line directly or that you do so as a referring agency on their behalf.. Thank you in advance for you assistance as we move forward in providing seamless care to women experiencing sexual violence in our community. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to connect with me directly.

Anorexia, bulimia, dieting, body image problems . . . how do we prevent them? Research tells us that the best way to prevent eating disorders and disordered eating is to promote and role model healthy lifestyle behaviours. Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual effort to reduce the prevalence of anorexia, bulimia, dieting, and body image problems through a public education program that emphasizes the social factors that cause eating disorders and disordered eating.

This year, Eating Disorders Awareness Week takes place February 5 to 11.The Sudbury & District Health Unit is providing promotional packages for you to use during EDAW. Each package contains a poster, fact sheets, and valuable information about local support services. A limited number of packages is available, so requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please indicate if you would like to receive these resources, in English or French, by Friday, January 20.

Also, as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2012, the Sudbury & District Health Unit and the City of Greater Sudbury present BodySense Workshops for Key Influencers.

BodySense is a model of best practice designed by experts in the fields of sport psychology, eating disorders, and nutrition. The workshop aims to shape the attitudes toward body image of those who are key influencers of young athletes. Workshop participants will come away with new ideas for fostering healthy and positive environments for athletes, both in and out of the context of sport.

These workshops are free of charge. To register, please call 705.522.9200, ext. 336 or email Shanon Stewart. The registration deadline for both workshops is Friday, February 3.

If you have any questions or require further information, please call the Sudbury & District Health Unit at 705.522.9200, ext. 336.

Special thanks to the City of Greater Sudbury and the Rainbow District School Board for providing venues for these events, as well as to the Health Sciences North Regional Eating Disorders Program for its support.

Sudbury hospital renamed Health Sciences North

Sudbury Regional Hospital officially changed its name to Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord (HSN). File photo.

Vital Signs report: alarming trends in Sudburians' health

Oct 06, 2011

Children and youth in Sudbury were treated at hospital 580 times for mental health issues last year, according to the fifth edition of Vital Signs.

This represents 3.4 per cent of all children's visits to Sudbury Regional Hospital's emergency room, according to the annual report released by the Sudbury Community Foundation. This proportion was 0.5 per cent higher than children treated for mental health reasons at all hospitals under the umbrella of the North East Local Health Integration Network and 0.3 per cent higher than all LHINs across the province.

The report also revealed that 91 youth under the age of 24 were treated for “self-harm,” which includes self-poisoning, overdose and self-inflicted wounds. That number is up from the previous 82 reported cases between April 2009 and March 2010.

These were only several startling statistics revealed through the annual report. There is much more. According to Vital Signs, the obesity rate for the population 18 years of age and older in the Sudbury and District Health Unit area was pegged at 24.9 per cent, up from the previous 19.3 per cent. This puts the obesity rate for Sudburians above the provincial and national averages, both of which stand at 18 per cent.

The report further states that child poverty rate has increased over the years, with an estimated 6,240 children living below the poverty line. Furthermore, a staggering 21.7 per cent of Sudbury youth identified themselves as daily smokers, well above the provincial and national averages of 5.1 per cent and 6.4 per cent respectively.

Dr. Denis Roy, president and CEO of Sudbury Regional Hospital and honorary chair of Sudbury Community Foundation, said mental health issues among youth is a “social tragedy” that has barely started to get the attention it deserves. He said health-care providers are at a loss as to why this is happening.

“It is alarming that an increasing number of children are feeling so discouraged or hopeless about their lives that they are ending up in the hospital,” Roy said. “It's a growing problem that society as a whole, and the health-care system in particular, must address.”

The findings in the Vital Signs report confirm what Roy said he has been advocating for a long time.

“We must have a health-care system that meets and is sensitive to the unique mental, physical and emotional needs of our children,” he said. “Children are not small adults, nor should they be viewed as such. That's why we are changing the way pediatric services are delivered and practiced in our health-care system.”

Obesity rates are increasing and it's becoming an epidemic across Canada, especially in northern Ontario, which has the highest rate of diabetes in the country, Roy said.

“Good health, especially for children, begins in the home. It continues at school, and it continues at our community playgrounds, rinks and even in the workplace. Good health should happen everywhere in the community across all sectors, and this is something we need to talk about more in this city.”

Sudbury Community Foundation launched its fifth edition of the report on Oct. 4. The foundation focused on pediatric health issues this year, because the health of children affects the vitality of the community as a whole, Roy said.

It is important for any community to have a road map to help guide efforts in achieving a healthy society, Roy added. Vital Signs is such a tool, and it will help the community and its leaders build a society that is as healthy as it can be.

“Vital Signs gives us a clear idea of where we are and where we need to focus our priorities,” Roy said.

While the report is designed to highlight issues that need more attention, it also points out what Sudburians should be celebrating.

For example, Sudbury has more subsidized childcare spaces for low-income families at 274 per 1,000 children, compared to other municipalities in Ontario. The provincial average was 202.

Greater Sudbury's art scene has also experience positive growth. There are now five active theatre groups staging productions.

Vital Signs is a national initiative of the Community Foundations of Canada with 22 other community foundations across the country launching their reports today. Vital Signs and an enhanced version with links to source information, is available at www.vitalsignssudbury.ca

Walden Clinic Celebrates Grand Opening

Local dignitaries, community partners and the City of Lakes Family Health Team gathered together on May 25^th to celebrate the grand opening of their new Walden Clinic.

MPP Bartolucci, Mayor Matichuk, Dr. Chris McKibbon and Dr. Katie Richardson paid tribute to the many people and organizations that contributed to the successful opening of the clinic. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the Sudbury Regional Hospital, the City of Greater Sudbury and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term care were lauded for their commitment to primary care in the community.

Councillor Barbeau was recognized for his contribution as a local champion for the completion of the clinic. Other local groups recognized at the event were the Walden CAN, the Walden Art Club, the CCAC and several city staff who were directly involved in the development of the clinic.

The family of the late Risto Laamanen was in attendance to honour his memory. Risto was a founding member of the inaugural Board of Directors. Board member and emcee Andrew Dale, announced that a multi-functional space in the clinic will be called the Risto Laamanen Education Room. This room will be a learning centre for medical residents, other interdisciplinary learners as well as patients.

The clinic is home to four new physicians and recent graduates of the NOSM Family Medicine program. They will work collaboratively with a team of interdisciplinary providers including a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a social worker and a pharmacist. The team will serve up to 6,000 orphan patients who previously did not have access to a primary care giver.

Residents who are without a family physician and would like to become a patient at the clinic are encouraged to register with the Ontario Health Care Connect program by calling 1-800-445-1822.

Changes to prescription laws give eye patients more options

Local optometrists Dr. Ben Smith and Dr. Karen Smith said they’re happy they can now prescribe certain kinds of drugs, after a new law was passed in Ontario April 6. Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen

May 05, 2011

By: Heidi Ulrichsen - Sudbury Northern Life Staff

On many occasions, optometrist Dr. Ben Smith has had patients come into his office with corneal ulcers from over-wearing their contact lenses.

When he was still practising in Indiana, he was able to prescribe them an antibiotic to properly treat the condition, something which he said needs to be dealt with “ASAP” or the patient risks blindness.

But since he and his wife, optometrist Dr. Karen Smith, moved from Indiana to Sudbury about five years ago to practice with Karen’s father, local optometrist Dr. Andrew Albiani, they haven’t been allowed to prescribe medications under Ontario law.

Karen said she still has the instrument she used in Indiana to remove foreign bodies from people’s eyes.

Because patients need to take antibiotics after having a foreign body removed, once she moved to Ontario, she wasn’t able to help patients who need this type of care herself.

“We practised to the fullest extent for three years (in Indiana), and then we moved here, and we couldn’t do anything,” Ben said. “It was very frustrating.”

That all changed April 6, when the province approved a law which allows optometrists to prescribe certain medications, including antibiotics, antibacterials, antivirals, glaucoma medications, anti-allergy medications, steroids and topic pain relievers.
But most patients don’t yet know they can visit their optometrists to get help for certain types of eye conditions, Ben said.

He said it’s far better for people with eye conditions to visit their optometrist, as opposed to going to the emergency department or walk-in clinic, because it’s easier to get care in a timely fashion.

Optometrists also have specialized equipment to diagnose eye conditions, whereas general practitioners might not, Ben said.

Wait times at the emergency department and walk-in clinics will be reduced because optometrists are able to treat more conditions themselves now, he said.

Optometrists also won’t have to refer so many patients to family doctors and ophthalmologists, Ben said.

Ontario is one of the last provinces in Canada to allow optometrists to prescribe drugs. However, the new regulation has the widest scope in Canada, as optometrists in most provinces are not allowed to prescribe glaucoma medication.

All optometrists who qualified after 2002 are able to prescribe drugs, Karen said.

Those who graduated between 1995 and 2002 are obliged to take a 20-hour course to be qualified to prescribe drugs, and those who graduated before 1995 must take a 100-hour course.

Ben said there’s some optometrists in the province who aren’t yet qualified to prescribe drugs. He said the best way to find out if your optometrist has these qualifications is to ask them.

Dr. John Mastronardi, president of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, said in a press release that the new law is “great news for our patients and everyone in Ontario.”

“Most of our members have been educated and trained to prescribe medications for years. We are pleased that the Ontario government has made changes that will broaden access to medically necessary services across the province.”

For more information, phone your local optometrist, or go to the Ontario Association of Optometrists’ website, optom.on.ca.

Eye conditions optometrists can treat with drugs include:

- Bacterial and viral eye infections
- Red eye due to contact lens wear

- Eyelid infection and inflammation
- Inflammation of the eye
- Eye pain
- Allergies affecting the eyes
- Superficial foreign bodies
- Glaucoma
(Source: Ontario Association of Optometrists)

Dear CARP Members,

Are you one of the millions of Canadians who don't have a family doctor, have had a surgery cancelled, or can't afford prescription drugs? Are you worried about who will pay for your parents' - or your own - long-term care?

Whether you believe that medicare serves you well or lets you down, Canada's doctors want to hear from you.

Should we have pharmacare or support for long-term care? What are the responsibilities of Canadians with regard to their health? These questions and others are part of our national dialogue on health care.

Our health care system makes a huge difference to our country's economy and quality of life. But it's in decline, and without leadership and courage on the part of our governments, it will continue to crumble until we no longer recognize it. We've got to get the message across that medicare is too important to Canadians to lose.

I'm asking for your help. If you care, the time to speak out is now. Join the discussion at www.healthcaretransformation.ca and make your voice heard.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jeff Turnbull
President, Canadian Medical Association

For Immediate Release Friday, January 28, 2011.

NEW BUS SERVICE TO CITY OF LAKES FAMILY HEALTH TEAM WALDEN CLINIC

Effective Tuesday, February 1, Greater Sudbury Transit will add the new City of Lakes Family Health

Team Walden Clinic, located at 25 Black Lake Road, to its Monday to Friday service schedule for the

community of Lively.

Buses will depart the downtown transit centre at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and

7:30 p.m., arriving at the Walden Clinic in approximately 35 minutes.

Buses will leave the Walden Clinic at 8:05 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 6:50 p.m.

and 8:50 p.m., arriving at the downtown transit centre in approximately 40 minutes.

Regular service to Lively leaves the downtown transit centre starting at 6:45 a.m. with the last bus

departing at 12:30 a.m. Buses travelling from Lively to downtown start at 6:15 a.m. with the last bus

departing at 10:30 p.m.

For complete Greater Sudbury Transit schedules, please visit www.greatersudbury.ca or call 705-675-

3333.

-30-

Media Contact:

Pat McCauley, Corporate Communications,

City of Greater Sudbury, 705-674-4455, ext. 2407

Walden health team clinic signs up 1,200 patients - Dave Courtemanche

Jan 24, 2011

By: Letter to the Editor

Re: Letter “Where have all the orphan patients gone?”, which appeared in the Jan. 18 edition of Northern Life.

The City of Lakes Family Health Team has been extremely pleased with the response from the community regarding our soon-to-be opened clinic in Walden.

In fact, two of our four new physicians have already started accepting patients and we are delighted to report that over 1,200 orphan patients have already been rostered.

Those patients are being temporarily seen at our Val Caron Clinic. By the end of 2011 we will have four new physicians working full-time at our Walden Clinic.

These new physicians are committed to accepting orphan patients from the Ontario Health Care Connect program. We believe that this provincial program provides the best system for identifying and rostering orphan patients.

The Ontario Health Care Connect program is managed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care and helps people who are without a family health care provider to find one. Priority is given to people with greater health needs. Locally, the Community Care Access Centre has nurses called Care Connectors who facilitate the process of connecting orphan patients registered with one of our physicians.

It is our understanding that all patients who have registered with the program from the Walden area have been rostered. That will continue until we have reached our goal of rostering 6,000 patients at the Walden Clinic.

The City of Lakes FHT currently has two clinics operating in Sudbury and Val Caron. The Walden site will be our third clinic. We are one of 200 Family Health Teams in Ontario that are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.

We have a team of family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other interdisciplinary health care providers who work collaboratively to serve over 15,000 patients from across the City of Greater Sudbury.

We would strongly encourage people who do not have a health care provider to register with the OHCC program by calling 1-800-445-1822 or by visiting the Ministry website. We are rostering new patients every day
.
Dave Courtemanche executive director, City of Lakes Family Health Team

Where have all the ‘Orphan Patients’ from Walden Gone?

…No Rush by Thousands of Patients to Register for new Walden

Family Health Team Clinic!

In Nov. 2005, at a series of community meetings and a Strategic Visioning Session - to create a Walden Community Action Network (Walden-CAN)- residents of Walden identified the need for more family doctors as the number one issue facing Walden. Thousands of people in Walden were without a Family Doctor and they wanted their Councilor/s, the City of Greater Sudbury and the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care to do something about it. They wanted increased access to primary health care for all the communities of Walden.

Our Ward 2 Councilor/s, our Mayors and Council and CGS Staff have worked tirelessly with the MHLTC developing strategies to recruit new family doctors to work in Walden (and CGS) and investigating various ‘Models’ to deliver primary health care to the thousands of ‘Orphan Patients’ in Walden (and CGS). The process was long and involved- with various Proposals presented to MHLTC for funding. The final ‘Models’, approved for Walden (a Nurse Practitioner Clinic and a Family Health Team Clinic) depended on long-term partnerships between the CGS, MHLTC and the primary health care providers. All their hard work has been successful!

2010 has been an amazing year for Walden! Our need for increased primary health care services has been solved! Our thousands of ‘Orphan Patients’ can all be cared for within Walden!

Our new Nurse Practitioner Clinic was opened on Main St., in Lively and is providing primary health care for thousands of ‘Orphan Patients’ in Walden. To register for the Lively Nurse Practitioner Clinic call 705-692-0177.

Four new Family Doctors were hired and renovations began at the former Town of Walden offices, on Black Lake Rd for our new Walden Family Health Team Clinic. In November, Dr. Monica Susil & Dr. Sarah Duncan began taking Patients – even though the renovations were not completed.

Councilor Barbeau, Mayor and Council, CGS Staff, the City of Lakes FHT, and Walden-CAN are waiting for the rush- as thousands of ‘Orphan Patients’ register for the new Walden Clinic. But it hasn’t happened yet.

Where have all the thousands of ‘Orphan Patients’ from Walden gone? Approximately 3,500 Orphan Patients identified in Walden alone.

You don’t have to wait until you’re sick or until the renovations to the former Town of Walden offices are completed for the new Walden Family Health Team Clinic. You can register with either Dr. Monica Susil or Dr. Sarah Duncan right now! It’s easy and quick to register for the new Walden Clinic- just call 1-800-445-1822 or at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect

If you need a family doctor, don’t wait! Register for our new Walden Clinic!

Jan.13, 2011 Gwen Doyle, Communications Coordinator Walden-CAN, 692-3021

YouTube Video addresses Sudbury Health Care

This does concern you !!!! Not maybe today, but when you or a loved one has to go to emergency at our local hospital (now rated as one of the worst in the province) and waits hours and then maybe more hours (or days) before being admitted for care. Or a parent or other older or disabled relative or friend is confined in less than suitable circumstances at the Regional site instead of adequate settings at the Memorial Transitional Care Unit.

Read this media release - view the video and send it along to as many as you feel would be interested (which should be all residents of our city who have contributed to our hospital on their own or though taxation). Link it to your facebook account or wherever else it will get maximum exposure. Your help is most appreciated. We will all benefit.

Media Release: Dec. 20^th 2010

Senior Advocacy Group proposal addresses ALC Health Care Issue:

Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury, says a unique opportunity exists for improving health care in our community for all citizens of any age, but particularity for elderly ALC patients.

Providing accommodation at the Memorial Transitional Care Site past the proposed closing deadline date (in March 2011) for ALC patients currently at the Regional (Laurentian) site will allow this facility to perform its intended function as an Acute Care institution, freeing up much needed bed space, prevent delays in medical procedures, allow the emergency unit to operate efficiently, improve staff moral, increase efficiency, plus provide greater patient satisfaction and outcomes.

The matter is discussed in some detail in a half hour Eastlink Cable 10 broadcast which has been edited to a 13 minute YouTube video (attached) featuring the head of Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury, John Lindsay and Treasurer John Gaul. Additional information is on the organizations website www.friendlytoseniors.ca as well as an MP3 audio recording of the full 30 minute broadcast. The group is to invite others involved to discuss the proposal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3zteavPGSPk

Contact: John Lindsay – 525-7526

John Gaul – 669- 0161

Season's Greetings - Icicle Hands News

So much has been happening, we have lots of exciting news to share.

Icicle Hands on Youtube

We created a fun way for customers to preview the Icicle Hands story book. Now you can hear the story in a read-aloud video.

Two Awards Given

What a great surprise. One was for our parade float. Click the awards link to read more about it.

Icicle Hands for Arthritis Awareness

November marked the official launch of our Facebook page. The Icicle Hands for Arthritis Awareness page has been created for people of all ages living with arthritis and their families. Please visit, join the discussions and feel free to comment on posts.

Wishing you Happy Holidays,

Cindy O'Neil


Cindy O'Neil \| PO Box 123 \| Naughton \| ON \| P0M 2M0

Orphan Patients in Walden
Needing a Family Physician

Should Register Now

…For the New Family Health Team Clinic

To be eligible to become a patient at the new Family Health Team Clinic in Walden former Town of Walden Building, Black Lake Rd)
you must register with the Ontario Health Care Connect program.

All physicians at the Walden Clinic will be using the Ontario
Health Care Connect as their primary source for rostering
new patients.

Health Care Connect is a provincial program which helps
Ontarians who are without a family physician to find one.
People without a primary health care provider are referred to a
family physician in their community who is currently accepting
new patients.

Dr. Sarah Duncan and Dr. Monica Susil are now rostering new patients registered with Ontario Heath Care Connect.

You can Register by calling 1-800- 445-1822

Or at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect

Do not call the Family Health Team directly.
Patients registered with Ontario Health Care Connect
will be contacted by the clinic.

For more information about
The City of Lakes Family Health Team
See www.yourFamilyHealthTeam.com

.

Lively Family Health Clinic

To register as an orphan patient the contact information is as follows:

1-800-445-1822 or on line at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/healthcareconnect/public/default.aspx

Sherri Moroso, Community Development Coordinator City of Greater Sudbury 200 Brady Street Sudbury, ON P3A 5P3

Phone: (705) 674-4455, x 2449

Fax: (705) 671-8145

Sherri.Moroso@greatersudbury.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, July 13, 2010

City of Lakes Family Health Team receives provincial funding for Walden clinic

The City of Greater Sudbury welcomes the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s contribution to assist in bringing a new Family Health Team office to Walden.

The funding stems from a program announced by the Ministry in 2005 for the implementation of 150 Family Health Teams to address the shortage of family medicine practitioners in the province of Ontario. It is estimated that there are currently over 30,000 patients within the City of Greater Sudbury without a family physician or primary health care provider.

"We are dedicated to ensuring that all residents have access to primary health care and personalized service", said Greater Sudbury Mayor, John Rodriguez. "The Walden Family Health Team will be comprised of four new physicians, recruited by the City’s Strategic Physician Recruitment and Retention Program prior to moving forward with the Walden project."

The four new physicians, three of whom are native Sudburians, will be taking on 6,000 new patients when the facilities open in early 2011.

"We are extremely excited about this announcement," said Ward 2 Councillor, Jacques Barbeau. "It strengthens our commitment to enhancing the delivery of primary care to the areas within our City most affected by the shortage of family medicine practitioners. With the Ministry funding in place, along with the City’s contribution of 50% towards infrastructure, we can directly address the most critical needs of our citizens."

The City of Greater Sudbury is providing the space to house the Walden Family Health Team in the former Municipal Offices on Black Lake Road. The City and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are sharing the cost of the renovations to the building. Today’s funding announcement represents the Ministry’s share of the improvements required to accommodate the clinic.

Hôpital Régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital, Ontario Telehealth Network and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine are also joint partners in the venture, each committing to either infrastructure or in-kind contributions.

Citizens who wish to sign on as new patients are encouraged to contact the Health Care Connect program by calling 1-800-445-1822. More information about the program can be found at: www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/healthcareconnect/public/default.aspx.

- 30 -

Media Contact:

Kate Furlotte, Corporate Communications

City of Greater Sudbury

674-4455 ext. 2513

About Heart Attacks & Why keep Aspirin by your bedside?

Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve under the tongue. They work much faster than the tablets.

Why keep aspirin by your bedside?

...About Heart Attacks

There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm. One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.

Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.. The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.

If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water...AND then

CALL 911

- say "heart attack!"
- say that you have taken 2 aspirins..
- phone a neighbour or a family member who lives very close by
- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for
their arrival and...

DO NOT lie down

Community Health Connections (PDF)

The Communications Subcommittee of the Play Live Be Tobacco Free (PLBTF) Collaborative is attempting to compile a calendar of all the important dates relevant to Tobacco Free Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation in general, and Local/Municipal government activities related to sports and recreation. We have a short survey for you to fill out asking for any important times of year or events that you know about.

The information from this survey will help to create the Media Calendar for the PLBTF Collaborative. When completed, the Media Calendar will be available to all at www.playlivebetobaccofree.ca so you can link your local projects and activities with important dates and events. The Communications Subcommittee will also make resources available for some of the dates or events submitted so they can be used locally or regionally.

We would like to have all this initial information in by Wednesday March 31st 2010, however, this link will remain open and you can return later in the year to up-date us on new events or important dates you discover. We will endeavour to keep the Media Calendar at www.playlivebetobaccofree.ca as up to date as possible.

Thanks in advance! Here is the survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9T25VSX

Any questions? Feel free to email/call.

Yours in Health (and Sport and Rec!)

Michelle Cundari
Community Health Promoter - Physical Activity
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
681 Commercial Street
North Bay, ON P1B 4E7
Phone: (705) 474-1400 ext. 2373 or toll-free 1-800-563-2808
Fax: (705) 840-0228
Email: michelle@nbdhu.on.ca

Ontario Health Study participants can 'be part of something big'
Mar 23, 2010

Researchers looking for Sudburians to take part in study of chronic disease
By: Heidi Ulrichsen - Sudbury Northern Life Staff
Sudburians have a chance to help researchers find out the causes of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes by participating in a long-term study.
The Ontario Health Study, which started last year, is looking for people between the ages of 35 and 69 to follow over a couple of decades to see whether they develop any chronic conditions. Researchers will then look at the information to see if there are any common factors between those who develop certain conditions, looking at whether the condition is related to lifestyle factors like smoking, diet or exercise, or to genetics or environmental factors.
As the health study’s slogan goes, participants have a chance to “be part of something big.”
“What the Ontario Health Study involves is asking people from all walks of life, from all parts of Ontario, regardless of their health history, to consider volunteering and participating,” John McLaughlin, a cancer epidemiologist who is the lead scientist with the study, said.
The Ontario Health Study is supported by several agencies in Ontario, including the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion.
Sudbury, along with Mississauga and Owen Sound, is home to an assessment centre where researchers are collecting health information for the study.
The Sudbury assessment centre is located at 2009 Long Lake Rd. in Suite 205. For more information, phone 1-866-606-0686 or go to www.ontariohealthstudy.ca
“Information is collected by questionnaire, nurses take some physical measurements, and a blood sample and small urine sample is also taken,” McLaughlin said. “All of this information is put into a very secure storage system to maintain it for the long term.”
In the coming years, participants will be sent questionnaires to update researchers on their health status. Participants will also be asked to give their permission to the researchers to look at their OHIP records, so they can keep track of health ailments.
More than 1,000 people have been through the assessment centre in Sudbury so far, McLaughlin said.
However, the assessment centre will only be open until the end of 2010, so McLauglin is encouraging people to participate in the study now. The study is focusing on people between the ages of 35 and 69 because this is the age range where chronic conditions usually develop, he said. Sudbury was chosen as one of the sites for an assessment centre for a number of reasons, he said.
First of all, northern Ontario has been left out of major health studies in the past, and the researchers wanted to ensure northerners were included in this study.
As well, northern Ontario has higher rates of chronic illnesses than the rest of the province, McLaughlin said.
“There are some factors that will be somewhat unique, associated with illness or wellness in the north, that might not be seen in the south.
“There will also be some common factors. We already know what some of the most important things are to prevent cancer and heart disease. The main messages now are about tobacco control, active living and healthy eating.”

News from City of Lakes FHT website

February 01, 2010

Funding Granted for Clinical Learners

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has approved infrastructure funding for the City of Lakes Family Health Team to expand and upgrade its clinical facilities for clinical learning purposes. Our clinics are clinical teaching sites for NOSM students and residents as well as learners from other disciplines such as nursing and pharmacy.

This initiative builds on an affiliation between the City of Lakes Family Health Team and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in which medical learners are educated in an interdisciplinary primary care setting. The learners assess and plan for patient care in a collaborative manner while learning about the role of each profession at the clinic- such as nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and dietitians. Students and residents are guided by a family physician preceptor.

A total of $126,000 has been granted for the provision of additional exam rooms, medical equipment, information technology and videoconferencing. The funding comes from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

November 07, 2009

Geriatrician makes Presentation to Health Team

Greater Sudbury's newest Geriatrician, Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, made a presentation to the Family Health team on November 6th. The presentation was entitled "Falls Prevention- What Does the Evidence Tell Us?".

Dr. Clarke's presentation represents one aspect of an evolving partnership between the City of Lakes Family Health team and the the recently opened Centre for Excellence in Seniors' Health. Our team is in the process of implementing a Geriatrics Program that identifies falls prevention as a health priority for many of our elderly patients.

September 29, 2009
Telemedicine is coming to our Clinics

We have been accepted by the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) as a member of the OTN network. The Ontario Telemedicine Network is an independent, not-for-profit organization that is funded by the Government of Ontario.

"Telemedicine" is the delivery of health-related services and information using telecommunication technologies. Using two-way videoconferencing systems and tele-diagnostic instruments like digital stethoscopes, otoscopes and patient examination cameras, OTN helps deliver clinical care and professional education among healthcare providers and patients.

OTN membership provides access to the world's largest collaborative community of telemedicine-enabled organizations, enabling participation in clinical, educational and administrative events. OTN has 336 partners including: academic health science centres, community hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, clinics, nursing stations, medical and nursing schools, professional organizations, Community Care Access Centres, LHIN offices, First Nations Communities, long-term care homes, educational facilities and public health.

Watch our website for more information about how patients can access our OTN studio!

September 24, 2009
City Council Approves Walden Clinic Funding

The City of Lakes Family Health Team (CoLFHT) is one step closer to opening a brand new clinic in Walden. City Council approved a motion last evening to provide capital funding to transform the former Walden Town Hall into a medical clinic. A proposal will be submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care to match the City’s share of capital funding so that the clinic can be ready to receive patients in 2010.

In August 20009, the CoLFHT announced that four new family physicians joined their team. The physicians, currently completing a Family Medicine Residency at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, are as follows: Dr. Sarah Duncan, Dr. Katherine Gasparini, Dr. Liisa Levasseur and Dr. Monica Susil. “We are so pleased that City Council is supporting the Walden Clinic,” said Dr. Gasparini. “It was really encouraging to hear Councillors speaking so positively about our family health team.”

In 2005, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care approved a CoLFHT proposal to open four clinics across the City of Greater Sudbury. Two existing clinics are located in Sudbury and Val Caron. Future clinical sites have been identified in Walden and Chelmsford. The Walden clinic will be located in the former Town of Walden municipal building located at 25 Black Lake Road. The properties are owned by the City of Greater Sudbury.

“This is great news for thousands of people across our community who are looking for a family physician,” said David Courtemanche, Executive Director of the CoLFHT. “Given the current economic climate, Council’s decision to support these physicians demonstrates their commitment to improving the local healthcare system and making primary healthcare accessible to citizens throughout the City.”

The City of Lakes Family Health Team is an interdisciplinary team of family physicians and health care professionals working collaboratively to provide comprehensive primary health care services to their patients. Family Health Teams are a key component of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care’s plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to physicians and nurses.

Unattached patients seeking a family physician should not contact the Family Health Team or its physicians until the Walden clinic has been opened in 2010.

August 07, 2009
FOUR NEW PHYSICIANS TO JOIN FAMILY HEALTH TEAM

GREATER SUDBURY - The City of Lakes Family Health Team (CoLFHT) announced today that four new family physicians have agreed to join their team. The physicians, currently completing a Family Medicine Residency at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, are as follows: Dr. Sarah Duncan, Dr. Katherine Gasparini, Dr. Liisa Levasseur and Dr. Monica Susil.

"I am so pleased that these four young physicians have chosen to establish a practice in our community", said Dr. Tom Crichton. "It is a tribute to their commitment to the north as well as to the vision of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine to address the physician shortage in our community." Dr. Crichton is the CoLFHT's lead physician and Assistant Dean of Family Medicine at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Their arrival to the team will coincide with the opening of a new Family Health Team clinic in Walden. In 2005, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care approved a CoLFHT proposal to open four clinics across the City of Greater Sudbury. Two existing clinics are located in Sudbury and Val Caron. Future clnical sites have been identified in Walden and Chelmsford. The Walden clinic is targeted to open in 2010 pending capital funding approval by City Council and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. "Family Health Teams are improving the delivery of primary health care in Greater Sudbury and across Ontario." said MPP Rick Bartolucci. "I welcome these new physicians who will work to provide the best, most comprehensive care to the people of Walden."

"This is great news for thousands of people across our community who are currently without a family physician." said Dr. Chris McKibbon, Chair of the CoLFHT Board of Directors. "Locating another clinic in the outlying area of the City will make primary healthcare more accessible for those patients." The Walden clinic will be located in the former Town of Walden municipal building located at 25 Black Lake Road. The property is owned by the City of Greater Sudbury.

The City of Lakes Family Health Team is an interdisciplinary team of family physicians and health care professionals working collaboratively to provide comprehensive primary health care services to their patients. Family Health Teams are key component of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to the physicians and nurses.

Unattached patients seeking a family physician should not contact the Family Health Team or its physicians until the Walden clinic has been opened in 2010.

Flu Clinic Opens(pdf)

Hi Everyone,

It has been quite a while since I sent out information and updates on the Canadian Diabetes Association. Please see below some exciting information about the partnership between the NHL and the Canadian Diabetes Association (below), as well as information on World Diabetes Day.

Together, the Canadian Diabetes Association, JDRF and Novo Nordisk Canada have created a new website for World Diabetes Day - www.worlddiabetes.ca. We are encouraging everyone to visit the newly created website – and also encourage family, friends and clients to visit – to share your stories about being a Diabetes Champion. Champions are people living with diabetes; their friends and family; diabetes researchers; healthcare practitioners; volunteers; diabetes educators; advocates; life science partners; community leaders; role models; mentors; and elected officials to name just a few. I know that everyone on this mailing list is a Diabetes Champion!
Many people have been posting their own personal stories – please read and consider posting your own story.
If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a line.
Thanks,
Jennifer

We are very excited to let you know that the Canadian Diabetes Association and the NHL Canadian Clubs will help raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes together throughout the month of November.

The Clubs will support the Association’s Diabetes Champion Campaign in several ways, including:

• Arena public announcements

• Arena jumbotron ads

• Web banner ads

Below is a list of games where there will be in-arena diabetes awareness:

Date
NHL Club

November 3
Vancouver Canucks

November 5
Edmonton Oilers

November 10
Montreal Canadiens

November 14
Ottawa Senators

November 14
Toronto Maple Leafs

November 17
Calgary Flames

In addition, on Saturday, November 14th the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs have provided us with table top display areas so we can distribute educational materials, promote the mission and good works of the Canadian Diabetes Association, as well as request donations to help us continue supporting the 3 million people in Canada living with diabetes. Also, through their relationship with the Vernon Minor Hockey League, the Vancouver Canucks have asked Nik Wasylyk – a 13 year old boy newly diagnosed with type 1 – to join the team on the ice for the pre-game skate and to remain on the ice for the singing of the National Anthem. Nik’s relationship with the Canucks will be announced as will their support of World Diabetes Day.

For 25 years, the Association and the NHL have partnered together through the NHL Awards which has resulted in $4 million to support the Association in our mission of leading the fight against diabetes. We’re very proud to have the NHL support Diabetes Awareness Month and the Diabetes Champion Campaign this year by helping to educate fans and encourage them to inspire and raise awareness about the seriousness of diabetes.

Please spread the word of the NHL's support of our very important message this month to your friends and family

Jennifer MacKinnon

Regional Director, North East Ontario

Canadian Diabetes Association

2141 Lasalle Blvd, Unit F, Sudbury, ON P3A 2A3

T: (705) 670-1993 ext 6

diabetes.ca | 1-800-BANTING | Setting the world standard

SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes - May 2, 2010

www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com

Hospital supports ‘fair and equitable access’ to PET scans - Carol Hartman
Oct 19, 2009

By: Guest Northern Life Columnist

The discussion around bringing a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner to northeastern Ontario has heightened public interest in PET and its benefits to patients as a leading edge diagnostic tool that helps to identify and guide the treatment of serious illness.

It has also mobilized many concerned members of our community to advocate for what is an equity and access to care issue for residents of our region.

The Hôpital regional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) supports fair and equitable access for people living in the northeast to this valuable diagnostic tool. The hospital’s role is to advocate and determine the resource requirements that will allow us to respond to the needs of our people. You have been clear in your desire to have access to this advancement in care. This is why the board of directors passed a motion to create a Northeastern Ontario PET Scan Advisory Group.

We believe this Advisory Group represents a significant step forward in the goal of creating equitable access to PET Scan technology for the patients we serve. The group will ensure we have the appropriate community support, clinical and financial expertise for the development of a business case for a PET Scan in the northeast from a clinical, research, operational, and financial perspective.

The purpose of the business case is to inform the HRSRH’s board, our health care partners and people across the region as to what will be required for the acquisition of a PET Scanner for Sudbury and northeastern Ontario. It is important that we be able to clearly demonstrate for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care the need in our region for this investment.

We know there will be significant challenges in bringing a PET Scanner to northeastern Ontario. Limited OHIP approvals, capped clinical volumes, one-time and recurring operating costs and funding limitations are some of the issues we will need to address.

Nevertheless, the hospital has a stated responsibility for being accountable to its patients and the communities we serve by constantly advocating for and seeking resources to provide the best, safest and most appropriate health care services.

We take our responsibility to the communities we serve with the utmost gravity. Through the Northeastern Ontario PET Scan Advisory Group, we have set ourselves on the path to achieving the goal of fair and equitable access to PET Scan technology for northeastern Ontario.

To view the presentation given to the HRSRH board of directors on Oct. 13, please visit www.hrsrh.on.ca.

Carol Hartman is the chair of the Sudbury Regional Hospital Board of Directors.

From Sudbury District Health Unit Website

H1N1 Influenza Questions and Answers

What is H1N1 influenza?

H1N1 influenza is a strain of influenza that originated in swine, but can also make people sick. It is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms much like those of the regular seasonal influenza.

What are the symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 influenza viruses?

Flu viruses result in similar symptoms, which range from mild to severe. Symptoms include sudden fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches. In children under the age of five, vomiting and diarrhea are more common and fever may not be prominent.

What can I do to prevent the spread of illness?

Wash your hands thoroughly and often with hot water and liquid soap, and assist children in your care to do so as well.
Use hand sanitizers if water and soap are not available.
Sneeze and cough into your sleeve, and encourage children in your care to do so as well.
Stay at home if you are sick, and reduce contact with family members and the public.

Will the seasonal flu shot protect me against H1N1 influenza?

There are many types of influenza viruses. The seasonal flu shot does not provide protection against the H1N1 flu virus.

Will there be a vaccine to protect me against H1N1 influenza?

Yes.

When will the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines be available and to whom?

Local clinic dates and times for both vaccines are being revised and will be communicated once the details are finalized. (See “Vaccines” for updates)

Seasonal flu vaccine -- Immunization in October

Persons 65 years and over
Residents of long-term care homes

H1N1 flu vaccine -- Immunization in November

For those who would benefit most from immunization and those who care for them:

People with chronic medical conditions, under age 65
Pregnant women
Healthy children from six months to five years old
Persons residing in remote and isolated settings or communities
Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services
Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines

Others who would benefit from immunization include:

Adults 65 years of age and over
Healthy children five to 18 years of age
First responders
Swine and poultry workers
Health adults between 19 and 64 years of age

Seasonal flu vaccine – Immunization in December 2009 and January 2010

For all people six months or age and older who live, work, or attend school in Ontario

Will schools and other community facilities be closed if there is a case of H1N1 flu virus?

Public health officials will consider each situation, but at this time, closures are NOT recommended for this virus, just as they would not be recommended for seasonal influenza. This measure is not necessary at this time.

Should I be staying home or keeping my child at home?

Children and adults who are healthy should go to school or work or take part in other activities as they normally would. There is no reason to withdraw from normal activities at this time. Healthy people who are close contacts of people diagnosed with H1N1 virus are advised by public health to limit their activities in the community to what is essential, such as work and school.

Should people returning from travel to other areas affected by H1N1 flu virus be asked to stay at home?

If people who return from such travel are well, they should continue to go to school or work and continue to participate in other activities as usual. If these individuals begin to have symptoms of illness, they should stay home and call a health care provider for advice. If the health care provider suspects H1N1 flu they may order a test (nasopharyngeal swab – or nose and throat swab) and are asked to report this to public health. The health unit then follows up with the person directly and provides them with advice. If a person is diagnosed with this virus, they should stay home until 24 hours after their symptoms are gone or for seven (7) days following illness onset, whichever is longer. This will prevent transmission of the virus to others.

I think I have been in contact with someone who was ill with this virus. What do I do?

If you are feeling well, you can continue regular activities. There is no need to be under “quarantine” but you should watch for any symptoms. Public health advises that people be especially watchful for symptoms for the first seven (7) days following exposure to someone who is ill with H1N1 virus.

What should I do if I'm sick or someone in my home is sick?

Read here to find out more

Are there any medications available to prevent this flu?

Antiviral medications are not recommended for the prevention of H1N1 flu infection. Antiviral medications may be recommended by a health care provider for the treatment of persons diagnosed with this virus.

Should I wear a mask?

It is NOT recommended that members of the general public wear masks to protect themselves from contracting the H1N1 flu virus. Evidence shows that this is not an effective public health measure for the general public.

Should I avoid drinking from water fountains?

NO. Regular practices and precautions should be followed. Avoid touching the drinking fountain spout.

Will community activities be cancelled?

There is NO recommendation to cancel community activities. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and use good personal hygiene. Avoid sharing food, beverages and other personal items. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, stay home until you are well.

Please check out Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinics web site for
regular updates re our Lively clinic site.

http://sdnpc.ca/about-us/lively-clinic-gallery.html

Marilyn Butcher RN(EC)
Clinic Director
Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinics
359 Riverside Dr, Suite 107
Sudbury, ON P3E 1H5
phone (705)671-1661 ext 204
fax (705)671-0177

Web Site www.sdnpc

Walden Family Health Team on track

September 25, 2009 - Rachel Punch - Sudbury Star - p. A3

City council decided last fall to put the breaks on spending $500,000 to
help accommodate proposed health-care clinics in Rayside-Balfour and Walden.

Council wanted to wait until they could be assured the investment would
bring health services to those areas.

They got that assurance Wednesday night when two of four new doctors who
have agreed to join the City of Lakes Family Health Team attended a council
meeting.

Council agreed to contribute $345,000 to help the health team develop the
Walden site. Council also agreed to have a budget option prepared for the
development of the Rayside Balfour site.

"This is great news for thousands of people across our community who are
looking for a family physician," stated David Courtemanche, executive
director of the health team.

"Given the current economic climate, council's decision to support these
physicians demonstrates their commitment to improving the local health-care
system and making primary health care accessible to citizens throughout
Greater Sudbury."

The team is made up of family physicians and other health-care professionals
who work collaboratively to provide comprehensive health-care services to
patients.

The teams are part of the provincial government's plan to reduce wait times
and provide better access to doctors and nurses.

Dr. Katherine Gasparini and Dr. Sarah Duncan watched as council approved the
recommendation. The two doctors, as well as Dr. Liisa Levasseur and Dr.
Monica Susil, will be joining the family health team in 2010 after finishing
the Family Medicine Residency at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Coun. Jacques Barbeau, who represents the Walden area, said he would not
support "something that wasn't there for the taking."

"I was adamant about getting doctors into the community that didn't have an
existing slate," he said.

These new doctors are "100% committed to working full time at this clinic,"
Barbeau said.

It will bring health-care services to the community and create about 10
good-paying

Family health

* Four new doctors, Dr. Katherine Gasparini, Dr. Sarah Duncan, Dr. Liisa
Levasseur and Dr. Monica Susil, will be joining the family health team in
2010 after finishing the Family Medicine Residency at the Northern Ontario
School of Medicine.

* The plan is to open the Walden clinic in July 2010 and the Chelmsford site
in 2012, given the successful recruitment of more physicians.

* The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is expected to provide 50% of
the money to renovate the building.

jobs, he said.

"We are absolutely excited to have these new doctors move in," Barbeau said.

The Walden clinic will be located in the former town of Walden municipal
building at 25 Black Lake Rd.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is expected to provide 50% of the
money to renovate the building. The ministry, the health team and the
physicians will be responsible for operational costs.

It is estimated the city has more than 30,000 patients who do not have a
primary health caregiver, according to a report presented to council.

The City of Lakes Family Health Team has a current patient roster of more
than 12,200. About 2,700 of these patients were orphaned patients when the
health team first opened its doors in 2008.

The Walden site will enroll 6,000 new orphan patients. It is estimated that
Walden will require six new family physicians (including the four that have
already agreed to join the team) and Chelmsford will need four.

Now that the health team has secured funding from the city, it will go after
capital money and a transitional funding agreement for staffing and
operations from the ministry.

The goal is to open the Walden clinic in July 2010 and the Chelmsford site
in 2012, given the successful recruitment of more physicians.

rpunch@thesudburystar.com

http://forums.greatersudbury.ca/sudburynews/messageview.cfm?catid=156&threadid=10170

North East LHIN Board Bullets

· Davantage de chirurgies de la hanche et du genou pour les gens du Nord

· Intégration volontaire de trois hôpitaux et d’un centre de counselling dans le district de Cochrane

· Health Links – une nouvelle initiative de soins de santé en cours

· Transition des programmes de soins pour diabétiques vers le RLISS du Nord-Est

· Dernières nouvelles du Plan de services de santé intégrés 2013-2016

· Premières dans les désignations des services en français

North East LHIN Communiqué
Advancing Chronic Disease Prevention & Management within the NE LHIN

Communiqué du RLISS du Nord-Est
Améliorer la prévention et la gestion des maladies chronique dans le RLISS du NE

Louise’s July Blog

What’s in it for me?

What is involved?

Participation is voluntary . . .

Confidentiality

The Flu and You: Know Your Risk

Know the Difference Between
the Common Cold and Seasonal Flu

Sudbury hospital renamed Health Sciences North

Name reflects 'new approach to health care'

Vital Signs report: alarming trends in Sudburians' health

Oct 06, 2011

Walden Clinic Celebrates Grand Opening

Changes to prescription laws give eye patients more options

Eye conditions optometrists can treat with drugs include:

Walden health team clinic signs up 1,200 patients - Dave Courtemanche

From Sudbury District Health Unit Website

H1N1 Influenza Questions and Answers

North East LHIN Board Bullets

· Davantage de chirurgies de la hanche et du genou pour les gens du Nord

· Intégration volontaire de trois hôpitaux et d’un centre de counselling dans le district de Cochrane

· Health Links – une nouvelle initiative de soins de santé en cours

· Transition des programmes de soins pour diabétiques vers le RLISS du Nord-Est

· Dernières nouvelles du Plan de services de santé intégrés 2013-2016

· Premières dans les désignations des services en français

North East LHIN Communiqué Advancing Chronic Disease Prevention & Management within the NE LHIN

Communiqué du RLISS du Nord-Est Améliorer la prévention et la gestion des maladies chronique dans le RLISS du NE

Louise’s July Blog

What’s in it for me?

What is involved?

Participation is voluntary . . .

Confidentiality

The Flu and You: Know Your Risk

Know the Difference Between the Common Cold and Seasonal Flu

Sudbury hospital renamed Health Sciences North

Name reflects 'new approach to health care'

Vital Signs report: alarming trends in Sudburians' health

Oct 06, 2011

Walden Clinic Celebrates Grand Opening

Changes to prescription laws give eye patients more options

Eye conditions optometrists can treat with drugs include:

Walden health team clinic signs up 1,200 patients - Dave Courtemanche

From Sudbury District Health Unit Website

H1N1 Influenza Questions and Answers

North East LHIN Communiqué
Advancing Chronic Disease Prevention & Management within the NE LHIN

Communiqué du RLISS du Nord-Est
Améliorer la prévention et la gestion des maladies chronique dans le RLISS du NE

Know the Difference Between
the Common Cold and Seasonal Flu