News Releases
2006-118
November 28, 2006
For immediate release
Canada's New Government moves toward second wait times guarantee: for First Nations diabetes care
OTTAWA - Today, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, announced that Health Canada is developing a pilot project to establish a wait times guarantee for diabetes care for First Nations on reserve. This is the second wait times project for First Nations developed by Canada's new government.
"This project is good news for First Nations and all Canadians," said Minister Clement. "We are delivering on two levels - to First Nations who have not received the attention they deserve, and for Canadians who believe we CAN deliver Wait Times Guarantees."
The two-year pilot projects will be implemented in up to 10 First Nations communities, to be identified by Health Canada and First Nations. The projects will provide the following Patient Wait Times Guarantees:
- adults who test positive for diabetes will have an appointment within 2 months for an assessment and diabetes education with a primary health care provider on reserve;
- adults who test positive for "pre diabetes," or early diabetes, will be given the opportunity to participate in a diabetes prevention, education and support program within 3 months;
- adults who have a normal test result will be retested within 1 year.
Once complete, the pilot projects will be evaluated and adapted for possible use in other First Nations communities across Canada.
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Media Enquiries:
Paul Duchesne
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807
Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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