New Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Program the First of its Kind in Ontario

Nurse Practitioners Play New Role in Facilitating Follow Up Care for Colorectal Cancer Patients

TORONTO, May 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, MPP Michael Coteau, the North York Family Health Team, and North York General Hospital celebrated the launch of the Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Program (CCSP).

The CCSP is a new model of cancer survivorship care that transfers the monitoring of patients, who have finished active treatment, to primary care from oncologists and surgeons. This innovative program, developed by the North York Family Health Team (NYFHT) and North York General Hospital (NYGH), will centralize follow-up care for patients and alleviate wait times for newly diagnosed patients needing to see a cancer specialist.

"As part of our Action Plan for Health Care we are supporting transformation that aims to provide patients with the right care, in the right place, at the right time," said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "Programs like the Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Program here at the North York FHT are prime examples of innovations that are not only putting the needs of patients first , but are also highlighting the integral role Ontario's nurse practitioners have to play in improving patient care."

The Program's model follows the latest best practices and includes three important components: nurse practitioners lead and coordinate follow up testing, stoma care is available, and psychological support from a social worker is also provided. Other services offered include, group sessions by the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada and consults with psychiatrists from NYGH who also support the Hospital's cancer care program.

"This model is a smart innovation," said Dr. Kimberly Wintemute, medical director, NYFHT. "The Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Program will increase the capacity of oncologists to provide care to patients requiring active treatment, reducing the duplication of services and tests by centralizing care with a nurse practitioner who will communicate the patient's care plan to everyone who needs to know."

"Our partnership with the North York Family Health Team provides cancer survivors with a comprehensive care experience that addresses both their physical and psychological needs," said Dr. Tim Rutledge, President and CEO, NYGH. "This program is a terrific example of how, through collaboration, and with interprofessional teams, we can provide high quality care in an efficient manner."

Utilizing an interdisciplinary team of primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and social workers, patients enrolled in the CCSP will benefit from the care provided by a robust program that translates evidence-based care into clinical best practices.

The North York Family Health Team (NYFHT) is composed of a multidisciplinary team of Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Registered Dietitians, Nurse Practitioners and Pharmacists and 61 Family Physicians. There are approximately 60,000 patients rostered with the FHT Family Physicians. NYFHT is an academic Family Health Team associated with the Department of Family & Community Medicine at North York General Hospital and the University of Toronto.

North York General Hospital, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is one of Canada's leading community academic hospitals. We offer our culturally diverse community a wide range of acute care, ambulatory and long-term care services across three sites.  The hospital embraces health by providing innovative and compassionate care for the whole family at every stage of life.

Elizabeth McCarthy, Senior Communications Specialist
P: 416-756-6725
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