Beginning this week, the main office (known as the hub) for the outpatient regional diabetes education and management program is located at the Welland Site of the Niagara Health System (NHS).
The hub of the Niagara Diabetes Centre provides enhanced patient services in Welland in addition to coordinating clinic bookings for five other Niagara satellite communities -- Fort Erie, Grimsby, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne and St. Catharines. The hub is now located in newly renovated space on the main floor at the Welland Site, across from the Administrative offices.
“Our new space is bright and airy which makes it feel less institutional, and we expect that most patients will find the new layout of the space will be an improvement,” says program manager Cathy Lanteigne. “In addition, the larger clinic space will now allow physicians and clinical diabetes team members to bring medical, nursing and nutrition students into the area for mentoring.”
The hub moves to Welland from the Ontario Street Site in St. Catharines. The Ontario Street Site will remain active as a satellite to serve St. Catharines and surrounding communities, as will the other satellite services throughout Niagara. At all locations, Registered Nurses and Dietitians will continue to meet with clients individually or in group forums during scheduled sessions Monday to Friday.
The Welland hub will provide the following enhanced services:
- Physician-managed clinics
- Specialty appointments for pediatric patients
- Specialty appointments for pregnant women
- Initiation of insulin injections
- Introduction of insulin pump therapy
A new Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care/Local Health Integration Network funded service is also being introduced – a Foot Care Clinic for clients with diabetes.
The Niagara Diabetes Centre is the only diabetes program in Niagara registered by the Ministry to support Type 1 Diabetes patients seeking funding for their insulin-pump therapy.
For more information, contact
Caroline Bourque Wiley
Consultant, Public Affairs
905-378-4647, ext. 43113
cwiley@niagarahealth.on.ca
