Wellington North residents at risk of developing diabetes or struggling with the disease can now access new prevention and care programs, thanks to funding from the provincial government.
Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson made the announcement on Feb. 25.
“North Wellington Health Care and the Mount Forest Family Health Team are receiving a total of $458,500,” Wilkinson said.
North Wellington Health Care will receive $245,000 and an additional one-time amount of $14,000 for its diabetes prevention strategy. The Mount Forest Family Health Team will receive $199,500 over three years for its diabetes prevention program.
Registered nurse Diane Horrigan and dietician Sarah Pink are the leaders of that program.
Wilkinson said, “We know that Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy eating, weight management and exercise, and with this commitment the Family Health Team will be able to help patients who are at risk of developing diabetes. North Wellington Health Care is also enhancing its existing diabetes management program to help those struggling with the disease.”
The team’s program features group healthy lifestyle education and physical activity sessions, delivered by lifestyle coaches for up to 48 weeks. Coaches may include registered nurses, registered dieticians and exercise physiologists with experience implementing diabetes prevention programs. The goal is to reduce or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
“This funding allows us to focus on providing the coaching support that people need to make these important lifestyle changes. The community is excited about this new opportunity to improve their health,” said Suzanne Trivers, executive director of the Mount Forest team.
Jerome Quenneville, chief executive officer of North Wellington Health Care, added, “With the hiring of a registered dietician and additional nursing support, access to diabetes detection and treatment services in this rural area will be greatly appreciated.”
Wilkinson said improving diabetes prevention and management is a priority for the government. The number of Ontarians with diabetes has increased an estimated 69 per cent over the past 10 years and now there are approximately one million Ontarians dealing with the disease.
Ontario’s diabetes strategy, announced in 2008, is spending $741-million over four years to prevent, manage and treat diabetes.
Reports indicate diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, end-stage kidney disease and amputation in Canadian adults and is a significant cause of cardiovascular complications, hypertension, stroke, cataracts and glaucoma.
It is estimated that diabetes has close to $5-billion in direct and indirect costs to the health system.
“Diabetes is primarily preventable. So it seems to be an illness acquired through our lifestyle. It’s a big cost,” Wilkinson said.
He pointed out there are about one million people with diabetes, “and there’s only 13 million people in [the province] … All the experts are saying the number [of people with diabetes] can double in the next few years. The impact is huge.”
Two things need to be done, Wilkinson said. One is to help those with diabetes to manage the disease, the other is to prevent that illness.
Wilkinson said anything that can be done to prevent diabetes will allow the associated health care costs to be directed to other areas. “When it comes to primary care in Mount Forest, we are very blessed to have the Mount Forest Family Health Team right across from the hospital.”
The hospital applied for additional funding to “do more work to help people not get diabetes in the first place.”
He said “We have many people in our community who do have diabetes, and how well someone manages that disease makes a big difference on the outcome to one’s health and the cost.”
Trivers said that Wilkinson “has had a really great focus on health care in the time he’s been working with us.”
Diane Wilkinson, North Wellington Health Care vice president of patient services, said, the additional support will greatly benefit the communities served.
An additional registered nurse and dietician will provide individual counselling.
The Centre and North Wellington Diabetes Association, which is a collaboration of North Wellington Health Care, Groves Memorial Community Hospital and three family health teams have worked very hard to over the past few years to improve the care provided, she said. “The funding announcement recognizes that hard work and commitment.”
Wellington North Mayor Ray Tout said, “I feel today with the announcement, we are fortunate in Wellington North and the surrounding community. Healthcare in rural Ontario is a valuable service, and this announcement will enhance the services offered to local residents who need help preventing or managing diabetes.”
This is a huge issue for neighbours and relatives, “and it’s nice to know people now can have services provided close to home shortening up travel times. It’s a plus for everyone in Wellington North.”
He thanked staff for the hard work to get this far. “It will be a definite asset to the community.”
In talking about the program and what it means to municipalities, Trivers said, “Success in rural health care is built on partnerships.
She added, “We know that our resources can be thin on the ground … and we always have those longer travelling distances.”
She thanked the government for its support, particularly of the support of the organization’s collaborative work.
Trivers said there are already over 50 people signed up for the program. “We’re really excited and committed about this program.”
Trivers explained “what the program provides is not just the education, and that’s what makes this different from other programs. This isn’t just about receiving health care education. This is about coaching.”
Trivers explained staff will work to give people information, but also a personal boost and encouragement. After the first 24 weekly sessions, there are monthly check-ins. “People are not just left on their own.”
Part of the reason behind the group concept is the hope that people will make connections “We’ve seen it in other programs.”
When people get to know each other, they are able to support each other. “That’s truly how these programs build.”
She also spoke of the other partners.
“If you don’t do the food change and the exercise change at the same time, it’s not as effective in preventing diabetes.”
So there are partnerships with Saugeen Fitness, parks and recreation, and the seniors centre for excellence.
“Those partners are helping us to provide that exercise component. This is a real win for us as a community.”
Trivers said the other important aspect of the program is most programs are only for those who come to see a physician or a nurse practitioner. “This funding is broader than that. It is open to anyone who lives in our rural community.”
In addition, Trivers said there will be some outreach work in other communities to assist in cutting down travel times to access the program.
The only part of the referral process is a physician must confirm the individual can take part in the exercise component.
Horrigan said there is a 58% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes by adopting healthy eating and exercise.
She added risk factors for diabetes include “almost everyone over the age of 40, overweight, whether they have cholesterol issues, high blood pressure, family history.”
Trivers added “and anyone who doesn’t eat their green vegetables … all those things our grandmothers told us we should do.”
Sarah Pink stressed “a lot of these changes to a person’s lifestyle are not drastic changes. We’re looking at two and a half hours of moderate physical activity a week, like going for brisk walks. It’s not asking people to drop everything they do, to fit everything in.”
She added, “It is not about asking people to lose 27 million pounds, it’s about losing 7% of their body weight. Of course if they want to lose more, we’ll be there to help coach them to achieve a comfortable body weight. We’re not expecting people to turn their lives upside down and change everything.”
Trivers said, “It is about small incremental changes that get us where we need to be.”
That is where the coaching comes in – to generate little ideas that have a big impact.
“It might be instead of having three pieces of toast for breakfast, it might be two pieces of toast and an apple.”
She said people have busy lives and this is about incorporating change into them.
