CANCER CARE ONTARIO RELEASES ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Progress being made, but more to be done for the 400,000 Ontarians living with cancer in 2015

TORONTO, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - The third edition of the Ontario Cancer Plan (OCP) ensures our cancer system serves the changing and growing needs of Ontarians. The Cancer Plan outlines priorities for cancer services, sets a course to transform cancer services from the patient perspective, and is driven by a commitment to quality across the cancer journey - from prevention to survivorship or palliative care - as the most effective way to manage cancer.

The release of the original Ontario Cancer Plan in 2004, was the first multi-year cancer plan developed in Canada.

"We have made tremendous gains in the fight against cancer since the first Ontario Cancer Plan," said the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "The Ontario Government has expanded cancer centres and is now publicly reporting wait times for cancer surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. We have made great progress in reducing wait times for cancer patients. We will continue to work side by side with Cancer Care Ontario and health providers on the front lines to prevent and lessen the toll of cancer."

"For the past six years we have expanded capacity and improved access to high quality cancer services to meet the growing needs of Ontarians," said Terrence Sullivan, president and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario. "With this strong foundation, we are now focusing more on meeting the needs of patients and increasing access to new developments in personalized medicine."

"We have listened and talked directly to patients, doctors, nurses and our partners in cancer care. We know patients want to understand and have more control over their own care and more information. This will not only help patients, it will help us improve outcomes overall," said Michael Sherar, vice president, Planning and Regional Programs, Cancer Care Ontario.

By 2015:

• Every person in Ontario will be able to calculate their personal risk for developing cancer and be linked to resources to help reduce their risk.
• Primary care providers will be equipped with on-line tools to help people decrease their risk of cancer.
• Every cancer patient in Ontario will have:
• Access to more information tools, online and hands-on assistance in the form of Patient Navigators,
• The chance to give feedback on their experience with cancer, and
• Their interests represented through a Patient Advisory Council.

• All screening programs will be integrated and supported by one electronic system, automatically sending invitations to participate and reminders to screen at the right time. An Aboriginal Patient Navigator program will exist to provide culturally sensitive assistance for Aboriginal patients.
• The cancer journey from the patient's perspective for the most common types of cancer will be mapped to identify and address gaps and ensure patients are treated according to the best evidence and improve the performance of our Regional Cancer Programs.
• The cancer system will be equipped to quickly determine which new cancer therapies are the most effective and ensure these therapies are introduced and made available to patients. This process will be informed by the best available research and researchers.

The Plan builds on the successes of the first two cancer plans. These have driven tremendous strides in Ontario's cancer program, including:

• Increasing the use of evidence to develop standards and guidelines,
• Establishing the 14 Regional Cancer Programs,
• Opening four new cancer centres in:
• Kitchener (Grand River Regional Cancer Centre)
• Mississauga (Carlo Fidani Peel Regional Cancer Centre)  
• Oshawa (R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre)
• Newmarket (Stronach Regional Cancer Centre)
• Expanding centres in London, Sudbury, Hamilton, and Ottawa at the Queensway Carleton Hospital,
• Reducing wait times, particularly in surgery and radiation,
• Consolidating complex surgeries (thoracic and HPB),
• Launching ColonCancerCheck (CCC) to increase screening for colorectal cancer, and the Smoke Free Ontario Strategy, and
• Beginning the Ontario Health Study (OHS).

The strategic priorities outlined in the 2011-2015 Plan will build on these successes, helping people decrease their risk of developing cancer, reducing the impact of cancer through screening and early detection, ensuring access to the right treatment at the right time and strengthening Ontario's ability to improve cancer control through research.

Cancer Care Ontario continually improves cancer services so that fewer people get cancer and patients receive better care.

For further information:

Elizabeth McCarthy, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs, CCO
P: 416-971-9800 x. 3339
C: 416-666-8603
E: [email protected]