The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on
behalf of the Government of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba and Prairie Mountain
Health.
News Release
December 16, 2013
CANCER HUBS BRING EXPANDED SERVICES
TO WESTERN MANITOBA
- - -
Sites to Offer Enhanced Cancer Services, Treatment,
Information Options: Minister Selby
DAUPHIN-Cancer patients can now access enhanced treatment
and information at seven cancer hubs, as Manitoba's IN SIXTY cancer patient
journey initiative continues to improve services, Health Minister Erin Selby
said here today.
"Cancer is a scary journey for patients, but by
reducing wait times and ensuring timely treatment and access to care, we can
help make that journey a little easier," said Minister Selby. "Cancer hubs are made up of networks of
care providers who work together to make sure patients get the care they need,
when they need it, closer to home."
The expanded services now include three full-time nurse
navigators, two psychosocial oncology clinicians, two part-time family
physicians focused on oncology, two part-time medical leads, a full-time clerk
and part-time community liaison, with an approximate $700,000 annual investment
in front-line staff for the Prairie Mountain Health region. All front-line staff have received training
from CancerCare Manitoba and will support patients at critical transition
points, resulting in reduced delays and less stress and worry for patients, the
minister said.
The experts who staff cancer hubs will work with local health-care
providers and patient navigators to co-ordinate quick diagnosis, treatment and
followup for patients. The hubs will
better co-ordinate care and offer some services close to home, reducing costs
for patients who might have otherwise had to travel to Winnipeg to receive
diagnosis or treatment.
The regional cancer hub in Brandon will co-ordinate work
at the community cancer program hubs in Deloraine, Hamiota and Neepawa, while
the regional cancer hub in Dauphin will co-ordinate work at the community
cancer program hubs in Russell and Swan River.
"Patients and families have enough to go through
following a cancer diagnosis," said Penny Gilson, chief executive officer
of Prairie Mountain Health. "No
matter where one is in their cancer care journey, our goal is to ensure you
know what's happening now, what's happening next and what your treatment
options and outcomes might be."
The minister noted the introduction of cancer hubs is
part of the $40-million IN SIXTY initiative, announced by the Manitoba
government in 2011 to improve the cancer patient journey. It is a partnership including the Manitoba
government, CancerCare Manitoba, Diagnostic Services of Manitoba, regional
health authorities, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and
other health-care providers. These
cancer hubs enhance Manitoba's strong record of being world leaders in the
support of cancer patients and fight against the disease, citing Manitoba as
one of the first provinces to cover the full cost cancer drugs for all
patients, said the minister.
For more information on Manitoba's Cancer Strategy,
visit: www.gov.mb.ca/health/documents/mbcancer_strategy.pdf.
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