McClelland and Stewart to Publish a New Memoir from Conrad Black

photo via flickr by LeStudio1.com

TORONTO, June 29, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - McClelland and Stewart is proud to announce that the company will be publishing a new memoir from Conrad Black. The book, A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, will hit bookstores in the fall of 2011.

A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE is an unflinchingly revealing and superbly written memoir examining Conrad Black's life from 1993 to 2011. The book explores his years at the head of one of the world's largest newspaper groups, the accusations of fraud and obstruction of justice, his trial in Chicago, the Supreme Court appeal, as well as his subsequent imprisonment. The book also weaves together Black's very personal views on a number of big themes ranging from politics to corporate governance to the U.S. justice system. He is also candid about highly personal subjects such as his marriage and close friendships.

"We're honoured to be publishing Conrad Black's A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE," says Douglas Pepper, President and Publisher of McClelland and Stewart. "Years in the making, it spans from 1993 (the year after publication of his first memoir) to the present, and is a hard-hitting yet eloquent memoir by one of the most interesting men of our times. A biographer of some of the great men of modern politics, Conrad Black looks inward, giving us a bird's eye view of his controversial life as a media baron, philanthropist, and visionary. The book is a continuation of Lord Black's distinguished publishing career and we are looking forward to the exciting projects to come."

McClelland and Stewart acquired rights to this important memoir from Michael A. Levine, Chairman of Westwood Creative Artists.

More Focus needed on Providing Vision Care to Ageing Population says Canadian Council of the Blind in Launching New Campaign

Mike Yale and his guide dog Vargus travelled the world together

Canadians need "The Vision Care We Deserve," including better access to approved treatments, care and equipment

OTTAWA, June 21, 2011 /Canada NewWire Telbec/ - Governments must make vision care a greater health priority to ensure all Canadians have access to appropriate, comprehensive and approved vision care and treatments through the public health system, the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) says in launching a new national campaign called "The Vision Care We Deserve."

Serious vision impairment is a major health issue, affecting one in four Canadians who reach old age, and becoming a greater issue as the population ages. According to a new poll commissioned by CCB, this is a major issue for Canadians, with 82% saying the loss of vision is their most feared disability. This compares to loss of hearing (3%), loss of a leg (4%) or loss of an arm (2%).

The same poll showed that more than two-thirds of Canadians (70%) feel that regular eye exams and vision care should be covered as part of provincial public health plans. Almost as many (65%) would expect if they lost their sight that medical treatments and assistive devices would be made available to them through the public health system, but this is not the case at present. The visually impaired have to rely on non-profit groups, such as the CCB, for help and services.

"This shows there is a disconnect between what Canadians expect they would receive if they had serious vision impairment and the current reality," said Louis Gillis, National President of the CCB. "We want our campaign to raise awareness about how vision care isn't the health priority it should be. We want government action so Canadians really do get the vision care we deserve."

As a symbol of patients not getting what they deserve, the CCB is drawing attention to what it sees as a potentially serious safety issue in British Columbia and Nova Scotia related to treatments provided by the public health plans in those provinces for the leading cause of adult-onset vision loss, age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The newest treatment, Lucentis, is a great step forward by stopping and even reversing vision loss in many patients. It is now available on the public drug plans of every province, but B.C. and Nova Scotia also allow their public plans to give patients the cancer drug Avastin, which is not approved by Health Canada for treating wet AMD, because it costs less. However, a recent study from Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. showed greater rates of death and stroke among people using the cancer drug Avastin for wet AMD compared to those on the approved drug, Lucentis.

"We are calling on all the provinces to ensure they put patient safety ahead of cost considerations by ensuring persons with wet AMD get the treatment that has been approved for the condition," said Ms Gillis. "To do otherwise is unacceptable to us as patients. British Columbia and Nova Scotia need to stop allowing their public plans to provide an off-label cancer drug for wet AMD when an approved alternative exists and is available."

The CCB sees this as an important example of how vision care has been made a very low priority in our healthcare system, with governments seeking to provide the bare minimum for a vital health issue. As a result, Canadians are left to provide for themselves for many aspects of vision care. The CCB poll found that, for seven out of 10 Canadians (71%), cost is a factor when deciding to get vision and eye care services.

The poll also indicates that Canadians would be receptive to more and better training programs to help visually impaired people get appropriate jobs to allow them to be productive members of society. Almost nine out of 10 Canadians (89%) agreed that more training programs should be made available. And 60% agreed that those with visual impairments should be given special consideration when applying for a job.

As part of its campaign, the CCB has sent letters to every Minister and Deputy Minister of Health in Canada, urging a greater priority on vision care more in line with the serious nature of vision health issues and the importance Canadians put on them.

The Vision Critical / Angus Reid Forum poll for CCB

From May 27 to May 28, 2011, an online survey was conducted by Vision Critical among 1,007 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error, which measures sampling variability, is +/- 3.1% 19 times out of 20. The results were statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada.


The Canadian Council of the Blind

The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) was founded in 1944 by blind war veterans and graduates from schools of the blind. All officers and directors are blind or visually impaired which gives a unique sensitivity to the needs of the blind community. The CCB is a registered charity pursuant to the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The CCB has over 65 chapters across Canada and is the largest membership based organization for the blind. Recently, under changes to its new bylaws, the CCB encourages the sighted community to become members to assist in its mission to address the issues of blindness and visual impairment which affect many families in Canada. The CCB deals with the ongoing effects of blindness with specific programs to encourage active participation in local communities, education, sports and recreation and employment. The national office is located in Ottawa, Ontario. The CCB is the "Voice of the Blind®" in Canada. More info at: www.ccbnational.net.

Pharmacy of the Future: Rexall Rolls Out Next-Generation Prototype

WESTBANK, British Columbia, June 20, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - An afternoon trip to the pharmacy isn't what it used to be. From prescribing medications to injections, the traditional notion of a Pharmacist is changing and moving our most-trusted health care provider* from the back of the counter to the forefront of the health care team. Rexall's "pharmacy first" philosophy is taking the industry by storm with the national rollout of its next-generation, new pharmacy concept: the Rexall Healthy Living Store. The seventh prototype in Canada opened last weekend on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 2241 Louie Drive in Westbank, British Columbia.

"The scope of practice for Pharmacists is rapidly changing at the same time across the country and is shifting the pharmacy service model," said Andy Giancamilli, CEO, Rexall. "Our next-generation Rexall healthy living prototype has a total wellness approach that's rooted in the valuable role of the Pharmacist as a vital member of the health care team. We're here when you are sick or managing a chronic condition with expanded patient-focused services, and we are also making a great investment in helping you prevent illness with tools meant to empower customers to lead healthier lives. This is the future of pharmacy."

In Rexall's Healthy Living stores, Rexall Pharmacists are creating special pharmacist/patient relationships by anchoring an expanded team and a host of new and unique tools and services that shift the entire store's focus to helping customers better manage their health both through preventative strategies and treatment.

Meet The New Recruits: Healthy Living Advisors & Derm Consultants

Imagine if there was someone readily available to help navigate the increasingly overwhelming vitamin and supplements aisle. Or help filter through the massive amount of health information available, or even arrange the walking group customers always wanted to join, all free-of-charge? Enter the Healthy Living Advisor, Rexall's newest team member. Helping customers prioritize and better understand the assortment of more than 15,000 products available to meet their health needs, the Healthy Living Advisor functions as the right hand and support to the pharmacy by allowing the Pharmacist to spend more time with patients on primary care and also making sure that there is a referral to the pharmacist when needed. Completely dedicated to helping a customer get the most out of the store's services and products, Healthy Living Advisors bring expertise in fields such as nutrition, fitness and kinesiology, as well as extensive product and health training to Rexall Healthy Living stores.

Rounding out the expanded team is the Derm Consultant, whose expertise assists patients in navigating Rexall's impressive skincare assortment; 156% more skincare products than a traditional pharmacy from niche cosmoceuticals and dermatological products to expanded everyday skincare lines. The skin is the body's largest organ and Rexall's focus on skin health is immediately apparent upon walking through the doors. The Derm Consultant helps determine customers' skincare needs and makes recommendations about maintenance, treatment and regimens to optimize skin health. A Dermo Analyzer is available onsite to assess hydration and skin type, as well as the effects of the sun - diagnosis allows for a personalized skincare regimen to be developed and if more critical skin conditions are identified, the Derm Consultant works collaboratively with the Pharmacist to find the right solution or develop a plan of action.

Together, the Pharmacist, the Rexall Healthy Living Advisor, and Derm Consultant are an expanded pharmacy team fusing a unique combination of health services to help Canadians feel their best.

Testing 1, 2, 3

In response to what the Pharmacist sees and hears from patients, and combined with extensive research and analysis of the most pressing health issues in Canada, Rexall is focusing on the following areas of critical interest in its Healthy Living stores: digestion and food intolerances, high blood pressure, and smoking and lung health.

Enhanced in-store tests offered at Rexall include:

...Food Smart Hemocode detects food intolerances and sensitivities - approximately 30% of Canadians suffer from food intolerance and many are not aware that certain food and additives are the cause of their symptoms;

...BPro measures blood pressure directly at the base of the aorta and is analyzed by a cardiologist - high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects one in five Canadians, is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease, as well as the leading cause of death among women in Canada;

...Lung Age measures the strength of a patient's breath against their age and can help to diagnose illnesses such as lung disease and emphysema - a recent study revealed that smokers who knew their lung age were twice as likely to quit smoking.

Our Patients' Best Interests At Heart

All Rexall Healthy Living stores include a Healthy Living Terminal, an innovative tool running on Apple technology that assists customers obtain relevant and accurate health information on various health topics with just one touch. Located at the Healthy Living Advisor Station, the oversized touch screen is not found in any other pharmacy and provides easy sourcing of information on products, symptoms, illness, treatment, disease management, prevention and more. Moving forward, Rexall plans to introduce text-based prescription reminders; yet another example of paving the way with innovative technology with its patients' best interests at heart.

Health information and messages cleverly engage customers and patients with more than 280 helpful reminders and tips located throughout the store, including those in the Healthy Living zone - boasting an extensive assortment of vitamins and nutritional products, supplements and sports nutrition, Rexall's Healthy State Wall keeps relevant product and information together in key categories including diabetes, women's essentials and seasonal health topics. There is also a resource centre large enough for group health seminars and community health groups.

An expanded pharmacy team and a clear commitment to what it means to be a partner in health care all function to take the mystery out of the pharmacy and motivate Canadians to live healthier lives with the help of Rexall's new Healthy Living stores. "We are committed to building the world's best pharmacy for our patients with the support of our dedicated team," says Giancamilli. "Consumers can expect to see continued growth, state-of-the-art technology, services and offerings at all new and existing Rexall pharmacies as the company heads into the future."

About Rexall™

Rexall is a division of Katz Group Canada Ltd., Canada's largest pharmacy group encompassing 1,800 corporately owned, franchise and independent pharmacies across the country. A commitment to being a pharmacy first and the health and wellness of its patients embodies the Rexall brand. Among the services Rexall provides to its customers are Rexall Reminder Ready: a free service that notifies patients when their prescription has been refilled and is ready for pick-up; and Rexall Replenish & Renew Nutrient Depletion: a free consultation with a pharmacist to help identify medications that may be causing potential nutrient deficiencies, as well as free annual health clinics. For more information on Rexall, visit rexall.ca

Waits for access to alternate levels of care causing ripple effect throughout health care system

OTTAWA, June 21, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Wait Time Alliance (WTA) today warned that as the expiry of the 10-Year Accord to Strengthen Health Care draws near, long waits for care still threaten the ability of Canadians to get timely access to quality health care services.

"Nearly 10 years and billions of dollars later, Canadians still experience lengthy delays in accessing a wide range of necessary care," said Dr. Lorne Bellan, WTA Chair. "Further, the data show that the system is barely functioning as a system at all, as too often patients are languishing in hospitals instead of receiving the appropriate level of care they need."

The sixth annual WTA report card highlights the serious detrimental impact alternate-levels-of-care (ALC) stays are having on wait times for both emergency and elective/scheduled care. Approximately one in six hospital beds are occupied by patients who should be receiving care somewhere else.

"A myriad of factors lead to long waits for care, but the high number of hospital patients waiting for alternative levels of care such as rehabilitative or long-term care is likely the single-biggest cause of wait times," said Dr. Bellan. "Even more important is the fact that these patients would receive more appropriate and cost-effective care outside of the hospital."

As in the WTA's five previous annual report cards, provinces and territories have shown modest improvement in reducing waits endured by patients in the five clinical areas governments consider a priority. For the five-year period between 2007-2011, governments receive an overall national grade of B for reducing waits for cancer care, heart procedures, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration. However, beyond those five priority areas governments are reporting on just 10 per cent of the important procedures selected by the WTA. Those grades that could be assigned for these other procedures/treatments are very low in most instances. "This is of tremendous concern because it translates to thousands of Canadian patients waiting too long for treatment and care," added Dr. Bellan.

One area where governments are doing better is in the public reporting of wait time data, with all provinces now having a wait-time website. While progress has been achieved in increasing accountability to the public, there remains considerable room for improvement in how many services are reported on and in the provision of more precise data.

The Wait Time Alliance (WTA) was formed out of concern among Canada's doctors over delayed access to care for their patients, and an interest in working collaboratively with stakeholders to improve wait times. The WTA works to hold governments accountable for addressing the lengthy wait times endured by patients throughout the health care system. The WTA comprises 14 national organizations whose members are directly involved in providing a wide range of specialty medical care to patients.

For more information, including WTA reports and examples of leading practices, please go to: www.waittimealliance.ca.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Launches Canadian Clinical Trial Network

TORONTO, June 17, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Canadian Clinical Trial Network (CCTN) and the opening of the first of its many planned clinical trials. Created in partnership with the Government of Canada's Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the JDRF CCTN is launching the groundbreaking initiative in order to speed the development of better treatments and a cure for type 1 diabetes.

The JDRF CCTN is a significant boost to the long-held Canadian tradition of innovation in diabetes research, which began with the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best in 1922. While countries around the world struggle to bridge the divide between laboratory discoveries and improvements in clinical care, the JDRF CCTN will aim to accelerate the development and commercialization of treatments for type 1 diabetes, bringing Canada to the forefront of diabetes innovation, and thereby improving the lives of the growing number of Canadians of all ages that are affected by diabetes.

About JDRF

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump - each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its potential complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. JDRF's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date in Canada and around the world. It has raised more than $1.5 billion for type 1 diabetes research since its inception in 1970, including $107 million in 2010. JDRF raises funds in seven countries, and is funding research in 19, including over 50 human clinical trials. Over 80 percent of the funds JDRF expends support research and research-related education. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca.

About JDRF CCTN

The JDRF CCTN is a groundbreaking effort to accelerate made-in-Canada solutions for the management, care and cure of type 1 diabetes. The JDRF CCTN is currently developing several high-profile clinical trials, in association with leading diabetes researchers at partner universities and medical centers in Southern Ontario. The goal is to position Southern Ontario as an international hub for diabetes translational research, innovation, and commercialization of new therapeutics and enabling technologies. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca/cctn.

Canadians still choosing not to check for skin cancer despite risks

Melanoma can be successfully treated if caught early but fewer than one in five Canadians have moles checked regularly

VANCOUVER, June 16, 2011 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - Most Canadians (85 per cent) know that melanoma is a form of skin cancer and yet over one third (35 per cent) still never check for unusual moles/freckles or get them checked, according to a new survey conducted by the Save Your Skin Foundation.

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers worldwide, but because it is one of the only cancers that is clearly visible on the skin, early detection is not only possible, but important for successful treatment.

"It's important to learn the basics of melanoma and regularly check your moles. The earlier anomalies can be brought to your doctor's attention, the greater your chances for survival," explains Kathy Barnard, founder of Save Your Skin Foundation and a melanoma patient herself.

Young people in particular are lax in checking for skin cancer, despite the fact that melanoma is the second most common cancer among those aged 15 to 34.1 According to the survey, almost half (46%) of Canadians in that age group never check for unusual moles or freckles. Even when told that the incidence of melanoma has more than tripled over the past 30 years, just over half (52%) are only a little more likely or no more likely to check moles or freckles.

"This trend is troubling," says Dr. Michelle Withers a dermatologist in Vancouver. "Melanoma is a survivable cancer, but early detection is key. All Canadians, especially younger ones, should be aware of the necessity of doing a simple monthly mole check."

Overall, Canadians are not taking enough action to detect this highly visible cancer early on. Of those who do take steps to spot melanoma, by checking for unusual moles or freckles, almost half (49%) rely on their family doctor as their primary method of detection. And less than one in five (17%) get or do the monthly mole checks as recommended by the Canadian Dermatology Association.

With summer officially underway next week, the Save Your Skin Foundation wants to continue to emphasize the importance of noticing the early signs of melanoma and to encourage everyone to routinely check themselves and their loved ones.

"Make it a fun habit," suggests Kathy Barnard. "If you are a parent, teach your kids young, take pictures, make a scrapbook, so they know what to look for and are aware of the disease. Between adults, the practice can become a welcome romantic fixture in everyday busy lives."

For more information about melanoma and how to properly check your moles, please visit www.saveyourskin.ca

About Melanoma in Canada

Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women is expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation

The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends and colleagues of founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian-based not-for-profit foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer. Donations go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives. For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.

"Help Keep Our Aging Loved Ones Safe" says OPP

Ontario Provincial Police Recognizes World Elder Abuse Day

ORILLIA, Ontario, June 15, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - June 15, 2011 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like Ontarians to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of elder abuse to ensure that our aging loved ones do not have to worry about abuse or neglect.

By learning to identify the warning signs, people can detect and report incidents of abuse and neglect among aging members of our community.

Seniors may have unexplainable physical injuries, changes in personality, be socially withdrawn and have attitude or abnormal behavior. They may also show signs of poor hygiene, lack of nutrition or necessities and suddenly become unable to meet financial obligations. Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse as individuals attempt to cash in financially on a population they see as "vulnerable".

If you see any senior members of your community exposed to one or more of these circumstances, help protect them by reporting suspected abuse. It's important that everyone be able to talk about elder abuse openly and seniors should feel empowered to talk with caregivers, family members or physicians anytime they feel threatened.

The OPP continues to work with community and government agencies across Ontario as well as front-line officers so they can recognize when elder abuse may be occurring and take the appropriate action. The OPP as well as our aging loved ones are counting on the eyes and ears of the public to help stop elder abuse. For more resources on safety for seniors visit the OPP website at: Seniors Assistance.

Awareness campaigns are invaluable in preventing elder abuse, so on June 15 2011 and throughout the month of June, Ontarians are encouraged to recognize the International World Elder Abuse Awareness Day campaign to help prevent and stop elder abuse in our local communities.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) - June 15th, 2011 - Toronto

TORONTO, June 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day celebrations on June 15, 2011, in Toronto, Ontario, an International Forum will give focus to an under-reported and often silent form of abuse - the sexual abuse of older women.

Hosted by the International Federation on Ageing and Ryerson University, with funding provided by the Government of Ontario, the International Forum on the Sexual Safety of Older Women: A Human Rights Approach will bring together professionals in victim's services and the aging fields and make available knowledge of practices and how to best work together. Participants will include organizations and networks involved in elder abuse, those in victim services, health, legal/police, social work, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse prevention and the media.

Historically, older people have not been considered potential or actual targets of sexual assault and, as a result, may be under recognized as victims. Sexual abuse is the least observed, acknowledged, detected and reported form of elder abuse. A strong knowledge base is required, in the literature and among those who work with this vulnerable population, to build a best practise response and intervention protocol for instances of sexual assault. Journalists and 'the media' in general are essential and valued allies in collective efforts to create greater awareness of the issue of sexual abuse.

Through the vision of Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched in 2006 and gains greater world wide recognition every year through various forums, presentations, workshops and conferences describing and discussing the many complex issues involved in the mistreatment of older persons.

WHERE:
University of Toronto Residence, Conference Facility
89 Chestnut Street, Toronto ON
M5G 1R1

WHEN:
June 15, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Cancer Care Ontario and eHealth Ontario Partner to Deliver Safer Chemotherapy Treatment

TORONTO, June 9, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) has received $9.7 million from eHealth Ontario to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of systemic (chemotherapy) treatment across the province.

Chemotherapy drug ordering is one of the most complex processes in patient care. The Oncology Patient Information System (OPIS) automates the former paper-based chemotherapy drug ordering process and improves patient safety by:

...allowing the immediate electronic communication among cancer care providers to ensure reliable and efficient care

...replacing handwritten prescriptions to reduce prescription errors and adverse drug events
flagging drug allergies to prevent adverse drug events

"This is good news for all patients and their families battling cancer. Ensuring cancer patients are getting the safest and most effective treatment possible is vitally important. This investment will advance chemotherapy treatment standards and help CCO track data so that, together, we can plan to improve cancer care across the province," said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Today, 62 per cent of systemic treatment visits are supported by OPIS in 33 cancer treatment sites. This funding will allow CCO to introduce OPIS to an additional 15 sites.

"eHealth Ontario's Medication Management strategy is focused on improving patient safety and minimizing preventable adverse drug events through the online management of prescription medications. We are pleased to be funding the expansion of OPIS to 15 new sites to support this strategy. Together with CCO, we are focusing on improving chemotherapy delivery within a hospital setting and leveraging opportunities for collaboration," said Greg A. Reed, President and CEO, eHealth Ontario.

The project, expected to be complete by March 31, 2013, also supports a number of other initiatives, including:

...enhancing CCO's drug formulary eTool, a publicly available information resource on cancer drugs which serves as a reference for clinicians, administrators and patients

...sharing Systemic Treatment Computerized Physician Order Entry best practice guidelines to facilitate the consistent delivery of high quality, safe patient care

...expanding data collection to help support performance measurement and quality improvement of the cancer system

...improving the hospital electronic claims process for the New Drug Funding Program which funds innovative, and often expensive, intravenous cancer drugs

"CCO is committed to the ongoing development, use, and sustainability of OPIS as the chemotherapy drug order entry product-of-choice for Ontario's hospitals. OPIS standardizes how chemotherapy is ordered and enables health providers to collaborate in real-time, producing a winning solution for patients, clinicians, and Ontario's cancer system," said Michael Sherar, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario.

Quick Facts:

...In the past five years, it is estimated that OPIS has prevented approximately 8,500 adverse drug events, 5,000 physician office visits, 750 hospitalizations, 57 deaths, and saved millions in annual health-care costs.

...Approximately one in every three Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime. Between 30 and 60 per cent of all cancer patients will require some form of chemotherapy.

Cancer Care Ontario is the provincial agency responsible for continually improving cancer services. As the government's cancer advisor, Cancer Care Ontario works to reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer, and make sure patients receive better care every step of the way.

eHealth Ontario plays the leading role in harnessing technology and innovation to improve patient care, safety and access in support of the government's health strategy. The agency is responsible for implementing the government's ehealth agenda and creating electronic health records for Ontarians.

The Co-operators Ranked #1 Among Canada's Best 50 Corporate Citizens

GUELPH, Ontario, June 8, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Co-operators has been ranked #1 among the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada, as announced today by Corporate Knights. Corporate Knights is an organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible business practices in Canada and the advancement of social and environmental sustainability worldwide.

Corporate Knights' annual ranking is based on environmental, social and governance indicators found in the public domain. Specific indicators include the health and quality of an employer's pension plan, the diversity of its board of directors, executive remuneration, transparency in Global Reporting Initiatives, use of resources, and board-level oversight of sustainability issues, among other criteria.

"We are honoured to be named the 2011 top corporate citizen in Canada," said Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO of The Co-operators. "Making a positive contribution to Canadian communities is priority of ours, as it is for co-operatives across the country and around the world. We are proud of our track record and the recognition we've received, but more importantly we're looking forward to improving our performance and making greater contributions in the years ahead."

For the second year in a row, Canadian co-operatives ranked highly on the list. As a co-operative, The Co-operators adheres to international principles, which include democratic member control and concern for community.

The Co-operators has worked hard over the past few years to imbed sustainability into its own operations. Increasingly, guided by a sustainability policy and strategy, it is seeking to promote sustainable behaviour among its stakeholders, and strives to be a catalyst for a more sustainable society.

About The Co-operators:

The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $40 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca

Canadian Caregiver Coalition applauds measures in the Federal Budget

OTTAWA, June 6, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - On behalf of the millions of family caregivers across the country, the Canadian Caregiver Coalition (CCC) applauds the federal government for their recognition of the tremendous time and resources required of family caregivers. The inclusion of a Family Caregiver Tax Credit and the removal of the limit on eligible expenses under the current Medical Expense Tax Credit in today's federal budget is an important step in supporting family caregiver.

"Financial measures for those who must take time off work is a critical component of effective strategy to support family caregivers", said Nadine Henningsen, CCC President. "We are pleased to see the federal government maintaining its commitment to family caregivers by mitigating their financial burden through this program."

The intensity and length of caregiving can be significant, with 60% of caregivers providing care for more than three years. Additionally, 41% of Canadians use personal savings to support themselves when caring for loved ones and 22% of these individuals miss one or more months of work.

There is a role for all levels of government and sectors of society to support family caregivers, which is expressed in the CCC's Caregiving Strategy. The Strategy describes how Canadians can collectively and individually take measures to support family caregivers, providing them the safety net they require in demanding circumstances. The CCC's Caregiving Strategy includes the following elements:

...Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of family caregivers and increasing the flexibility and availability of respite care

...Minimizing excessive financial burden placed on family caregivers

...Enabling access to user friendly information and education

...Creating flexible workplace environments that respect caregiving obligations

...Investing in research on family caregiving as a foundation for evidence-informed decision making

The CCC and our partners will continue to work with the federal government to advance policy for all family caregivers in Canada.

About the Canadian Caregiver Coalition

The Canadian Caregiver Coalition is a diverse group of national and provincial organizations from across Canada that works collaboratively to represent and promote the needs and interests of family caregivers with all levels of government, and the community. The vision of the Canadian Caregiver Coalition is a Canada that recognizes and respects the integral role of family caregivers in society, and supports this role with the understanding that it is not a substitute for public responsibility in health and social care.

Limited offer for Free Blood Glucose Monitoring Kits

Association provides kits to Canadians living with diabetes as part of Compassionate Use Program

TORONTO, June 6, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - People with diabetes usually incur medical costs that are much higher than people without diabetes, and they face these costs no matter where they live in Canada. The Canadian Diabetes Association is pleased to offer Canadians the opportunity to apply for a free blood glucose monitoring kit through the Compassionate Use Program.

The Compassionate Use Program is available as of June 6 to assist Canadians who are having difficulty affording their blood glucose monitoring supplies. These free kits consist of: 1 OneTouch® UltraMini® System, 300 OneTouch® Ultra® Blue Test Strips and 300 OneTouch® Delica® Lancets.

"We know that 57 per cent of people living with diabetes in Canada cannot afford their prescribed diabetes management routine due to the costs associated with blood glucose testing supplies. It is unacceptable that many of these Canadians will develop serious complications," says Michael Cloutier, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. "We care about the health of Canadians and encourage people with diabetes who require assistance to take advantage of this program."

The Compassionate Use Program is only valid in Canada and only to Canadian residents who are insulin-dependent or who require oral medication in order to manage their diabetes.

If you or someone you know can benefit from this program, please visit diabetes.ca/meter to learn more or to apply online. You can also call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464), option 7, for more information. Please note, quantities are limited and some restrictions apply.

About the Canadian Diabetes Association

Across the country, the Canadian Diabetes Association is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our community-based network of supporters help us provide education and services to people living with diabetes, advocate for our cause, break ground towards a cure and translate research into practical applications.

Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

Trails Open Ontario 2011 promotes province's vast trail systems

TORONTO, June 4, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today is International Trails Day and Trails Open Ontario will once again showcase Ontario's extraordinary natural heritage by featuring several free special events. Many of the province's trail systems are included in this year's program.

"For five years now, Trails Open Ontario has provided an opportunity for all Ontarians to access and celebrate the remarkable trail systems that exist throughout the province," said Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "We are delighted to partner with trail organizations, conservation authorities, communities and volunteers to deliver Trails Open Ontario 2011."

Some of today's special events include: a guided tour of the Midland Rotary Trail, routed through unique natural areas between local industries (Midland); a walk along the urban section of the Trans Canada Trail, where participants can learn about the environmental features of Fleming College's Frost Campus (Lindsay); and, a hike and filtration plant tour through the Inglis Falls Conservation Area, where 100-year-old underground caverns were previously used to filter drinking water (Owen Sound).

Modelled after the successful Doors Open Ontario program, Trails Open Ontario is designed to promote trail use and education, support natural heritage conservation and stewardship, and encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. In addition to guided hikes, several of the participating trail systems and organizations are coordinating free activities - such as trail dedication ceremonies, community festivals, birdwatching and educational workshops. With over 50 events planned throughout the season, Ontarians in every corner of the province will have access to a variety of recreational opportunities on Ontario's 88,000 kilometres (54,680 miles) of trails.

Ontario's trails are ready to be explored. For a comprehensive listing of Trails Open Ontario 2011 events, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca/trails. A selection of guided hikes and tours offered by participating trail systems and organizations is also featured in a special 12-page section of the Doors Open Ontario 2011 Guide. To obtain a free copy, call 1-800-ONTARIO (668-2746).

Trails Open Ontario is a program of the Ontario Heritage Trust. The program's media sponsor is The Globe and Mail.

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage for present and future generations.

Quick facts:

...Now in its fifth year, Trails Open Ontario is a provincewide natural heritage tourism program that invites residents and visitors to experience the province's trails and natural spaces.

...The Trust has once again partnered with Conservation Ontario to host Trails Open Ontario events in conservation areas across the province; many of these events will be advertised directly through www.conservation-ontario.on.ca.

...The Trust has also partnered with the Bruce Trail Conservancy to coordinate Trails Open Ontario events on all nine sections of the trail on Bruce Trail Day - Sunday, October 2, 2011.

...Visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca/trails for updated Trails Open Ontario 2011 event listings. Additional events will be added throughout the season.

Infoway Certification Services expands to include Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Certification supports drive toward trusted, interoperable EMRs

TORONTO, May 31, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Electronic Medical Record (EMR) certification has been added to Canada Health Infoway's (Infoway) certification services, announced Richard Alvarez, President and CEO, Canada Health Infoway.

Certification means EMR vendors will be able to market a single solution that meets national standards to ensure the privacy, security and interoperability of patient health information.

It will also make purchasing decisions easier for customers, who will have the assurance of knowing certified products conform with privacy and security requirements, and can allow for the transfer of patient information such as lab test results and clinical reports between authorized health care providers.

"Physicians have told us they want a simpler approach to selecting an EMR system for their practices, one that they can trust to maintain the privacy and security of information and allows them to share patient information with authorized health professionals in various health care settings," said Alvarez. "Certification of EMR systems will signal to users that the product they are considering is a trusted solution that conforms to Canadian and international standards."

The introduction of EMR certification is another step by Infoway and the health information and communication technologies (ICT) industry to ensure that trusted interoperable solutions are available in the marketplace. Infoway will continue to collaborate with physicians and the ICT community to ensure certification evolves to keep current with advances in technology.

"Moving to a single, consistent and harmonized approach to certified EMR solutions that also takes into account the local variations of every Canadian jurisdiction will result in greater flexibility for the vendors who are marketing these products," said Brendan Seaton, President, ITAC Health, the Health Division of the Information Technology Association of Canada. "It will also simplify the decision making process for health providers who are considering implementing EMRs in their practices."

The eight certifications currently available include:

...Electronic Medical Records - New!
...Diagnostic Imaging
...Drug Information Systems
...Consumer Health Platforms
...Consumer Health Applications
...Client Registries
...Provider Registries
...Immunization Registries

Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of information and communications technology projects in Canada. Fully respecting patient confidentiality, these secure systems will provide clinicians and patients with the information they need to better support safe care decisions and manage their own health. Accessing this vital information quickly will help foster a more modern and sustainable health care system for all Canadians.