New centre for diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at St. Joseph's
Hospital tackles the fight against diabetes

LONDON, ON, April 23 /CNW/ - The Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and MPP for London North Centre, the Hon. Chris Bentley, Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and MPP for London West, and Khalil Ramal, MPP for London - Fanshawe joined staff, board members, physicians and volunteers of St. Joseph's Health Care, London to celebrate the opening of the new Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at St. Joseph's Hospital. The new centre brings together diabetes care, education and clinical research in one central location to combat what is considered to be the epidemic of the 21st century.

The number of Ontarians with diabetes has doubled over the last 10 years - and has grown to over 1.04 million people as of January 1, 2010. It is estimated that by 2016, costs related to diabetes will rise to $3.1 billion, placing a significant burden on the healthcare system in Ontario. With an aging and increasingly obese population, the need for innovative and comprehensive diabetes care, education and research has become critical.

The new Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism is one of many new spaces recently completed as part of the second phase of a multi-phase health care restructuring project in London. Previously, diabetes care, education and research were located on three sites: St. Joseph's Hospital, Mount Hope Centre for Long-Term Care and the former Mount St. Joseph - and is now consolidated on the fifth floor of St. Joseph's Hospital. The new centre will see about 12,000 patient visits a year for clinical care and about 6,500 patients a year for education.

This phase of the hospital's redevelopment was completed on time and on budget and provided an economic boost to London and the surrounding communities. At the peak of construction, more than 100 workers were on site daily at St. Joseph's Hospital.

The opening of the Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism further solidifies St. Joseph's Hospital as a provincial leader in ambulatory care. St. Joseph's is the primary regional site for diabetes and endocrine disease management.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will pay for 90 per cent of eligible construction costs for the project. St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation also played a significant role in providing funding for this project. Hundreds of donors have donated more than $1 million for new centre and more than $4 million to diabetes research over the years.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with St. Joseph's Health Care, London to redevelop the hospital, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable. Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget.

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Quotes:

Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and MPP for London North Centre

"I'm pleased to be celebrating another milestone here at St. Joseph's. Having diabetes care, education and clinical research in one central location will further enhance the level of care that St. Joseph's provides to our community."

Hon. Chris Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney General and MPP for London West

"The opening of the new Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at St. Joseph's is another example of our government's commitment to renewing infrastructure and improving access for the people of London."

Khalil Ramal, MPP for London - Fanshawe

"This new Centre will ensure the best access to diabetes care for Londoners who will need to come here each year."

Cliff Nordal, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care, London

"Through the dedication and collaborative work of physicians, nurses, educators, dieticians, researchers and others at the Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Joseph's is playing a critical role in the management of a disease being called the epidemic of the 21st century. It is here we are searching for new treatments, new care models that will keep patients healthy and reduce the toll of diabetes."

    

    Backgrounder

               CENTRE FOR DIABETES, ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
    

The Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at St. Joseph's Hospital brings together diabetes care, education and clinical research floor in a specially designed space spanning 23,600 square feet.

A centrally located interdisciplinary team, including researchers, allows for a model of care that is more patient-centred, efficient, streamlined, convenient and collaborative. While researchers focus on innovation and discovery, the interdisciplinary team of care providers and educators work to support patients' goals and health care needs, providing a continuum of services to ensure optimal health and quality of life.

Serving Southwestern Ontario, the centre is a teaching program affiliated with The University of Western Ontario, Lawson Health Research Institute and Robarts Research Institute.

The centre encompasses the following:

    
    -   Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics

        The clinics provide patients with a range of specialized care for
        diabetes mellitus and general endocrine disorders, including: lipid
        disorders; pituitary/adrenal/gonadal disorders and thyroid disease.

    -   Diabetes Education Centre (DEC)

        A centre of excellence for the region, the DEC provides patients and
        their families with diabetes information and resources they need to
        reach their optimal level of health. As well, the team participates
        in ongoing program evaluation activities directed towards enhanced
        care and treatment of diabetes.

    -   Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU)

        The CIU is an outpatient program that provides endocrine testing for
        patients with conditions such as pituitary tumors, thyroid disorders,
        adrenal tumors, and other endocrine disorders. Another function of
        the CIU is to provide drug infusions for endocrine disorders.

    -   Primary Care Diabetes Support Program

        Located at the St. Joseph's Family Medical and Dental Centre, this
        program provides comprehensive diabetes care for those without a
        family doctor. The team also works with family physicians caring for
        individuals experiencing complex self-care challenges.

    -   Research

        A wide range of leading-edge clinical trials and scientific research
        is underway in London by diabetes and endocrinology researchers, who
        enjoy a unique working partnership with St. Joseph's care providers.
        The home base for diabetes clinical trials is St. Joseph's Hospital,
        where research space is located adjacent to DEC and clinic area,
        providing a fertile ground for collaboration in the fight against
        diabetes.
    

Facts and Stats:

    
    -   St. Joseph's Hospital is the primary regional site for diabetes and
        endocrine disease management.
    -   About 12,000 patient visits are made each year to the diabetes,
        endocrinology and metabolism clinics.
    -   The Diabetes Education Centre sees about 6,500 patient visits
        annually.
    -   In 2009, the Primary Care Diabetes Support Program logged about
        1,900 face-to-face patient visits and nearly 2,300 telephone or email
        visits, which helps patients stay on track.
    -   Endocrinologists and Diabetes Educators at St. Joseph's have been key
        contributors to the development of the Canadian Diabetes Clinical
        Practice guidelines and the Canadian Obesity Guidelines. All are
        involved in training the next generation of endocrinologists through
        the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Schulich School of
        Medicine and Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario.
    -   More than 15 scientists and endocrinologists are conducting diabetes
        research at St. Joseph's Hospital. Currently, there are about
        30 ongoing studies in progress at the hospital involving as many as
        350 patients.
    -   St. Joseph's Hospital is among the sites participating in the
        longest, ongoing clinical trial in type 1 diabetes - the multi-centre
        Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and Follow-up Study.
    

Other new spaces - St. Joseph's Hospital

The Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism is one of many new spaces recently completed as part a major redevelopment project that will eventually see the renovation of about 200,000 square feet of St. Joseph's Hospital for acute/ambulatory care. Among other new spaces already in use include: Urgent Care Centre, Urology Centre; cataract suite; inpatient surgical services; lab test centre; Ivey Eye Institute; and otolaryngology head and neck surgery. Upcoming new spaces for ambulatory gynecology, endoscopy, and respiratory technology are underway, with renovations to be completed by the winter of 2011.

St. Joseph's Health Care, London

St. Joseph's Health Care, London is a major patient care, teaching and research centre with a distinguished legacy of service to London, Southwestern Ontario and the veterans of Canada, dating back more than 130 years. St. Joseph's five key role areas include acute/ambulatory care, complex care and veterans care, long-term care, rehabilitation and specialized geriatrics and specialized mental health care. Facilities and services including St. Joseph's Hospital, Parkwood Hospital, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care and Regional Mental Health Care London and St. Thomas are part of the St. Joseph's family. Our research arm, the Lawson Health Research Institute, continues to direct their research to the development of new knowledge that is continually being applied directly to patient care. More than 400,000 patients annually receive care from close to 6,000 physicians and staff at St. Joseph's. St. Joseph's is affiliated with the University of Western Ontario.

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For further information: Melissa Poulin, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, [phone] x64646; Jessica Hooker, Infrastructure Ontario, [phone]