Islanders will help shape new diabetes strategy

Islanders living with diabetes are invited to a series of important conversations next month that will shape Prince Edward Island’s renewed diabetes strategy. 

Health PEI will hold four focus group sessions across the province from June 5 to 13 to help inform the new multi-year strategy, which will be released by the end of this year. Please pre-register by calling the Provincial Diabetes Program toll-free at 1-888-854-7244.

“Adopting the first-ever provincial diabetes strategy in 2014 was a huge step forward in helping Islanders manage their diabetes and improve their quality of life,” Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell said. “It’s important for Islanders to share their experiences as we work to renew the strategy and our commitment to ensuring Islanders have access to the necessary services and supports that best meet their needs.”

The renewed provincial diabetes strategy will build upon the PEI Diabetes Strategy 2014-2017 with a focus on improving health outcomes, enhancing integration of services, and creating efficiencies in diabetes care across the province. In addition to consulting with Islanders living with diabetes, Health PEI will also seek input from health care providers from primary care, acute care, long-term care, and other specialists. 

As part of the renewal process for a new strategy, Health PEI will also formally evaluate the previous diabetes strategy. The evaluation will examine the initiatives implemented over the past three years to address the key areas of prevention, early detection and diabetes management. 

“We have made tremendous progress in establishing formal diabetes programs and services that are continually evolving to meet the needs of Islanders living with diabetes,” said Martha St. Pierre, registered nurse and provincial diabetes program lead. “As we move forward with developing a new strategy, it is important that we hear first-hand from those who rely on these programs, services and care that we provide.” 

“The focus group sessions will help us better understand experiences of Islanders living with diabetes, what best helps them as they manage their diabetes every day, as well as the challenges they may face,” St. Pierre said. “The knowledge gained will help guide our work as we plan for future diabetes programs and services across the province, ensuring that they are truly meeting the needs of Islanders and their families.” 

More than 15,000 Islanders live with diabetes. On average, 860 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed on Prince Edward Island each year. 

Since the PEI Diabetes Strategy 2014-2017 was released in April 2014, more than 7,500 Islanders have accessed services offered by the provincial diabetes program. More information about the Provincial Diabetes Program and diabetes care is available at: www.healthpei.ca/diabetes. 

Media contact:
Amanda Hamel
ajhamel@gov.pe.ca  

Backgrounder: 

Diabetes focus group sessions:     
Islanders living with diabetes are invited. Interested individuals are asked to pre-register for one of the following sessions:
•    Tuesday, June 5: Summerside from 10:30 a.m. – noon
•    Thursday, June 7: Charlottetown from 10:30 a.m. – noon
•    Tuesday, June 12: O’Leary 10:30 a.m. – noon
•    Wednesday, June 13: Montague 10:30 a.m. – noon

Diabetes Strategy 2014-2017
Released in April 2014, the PEI Diabetes Strategy 2014-2017 focused on three key pillars - prevention, early detection and diabetes management.

The strategy outlined 23 goals, of which 22 have been implemented or are in progress. Some of the recent investments in diabetes care include: 
•    hiring a full-time permanent nurse practitioner to support Islanders with complex diabetes cases and those without a dedicated primary care provider;
•    expanding coverage of blood glucose test strips for insulin-dependent women during pregnancy;
•    partnering with Island optometrists to deliver province-wide access to diabetic retinopathy testing;
•    establishing an insulin pump program for children and youth;
•    establishing the Nutristep Screening Program to assist with early identification of overweight / obese children and implement early intervention strategies;
•    implementing the Canadian CANRISK tool to determine risk for developing diabetes; and
•    adding new medications for diabetes manager to the Provincial Pharmacare Formulary.