Niagara Diabetes Centre making a move
From left, Duomax Developments Ltd. Senior Project Manager John Werkman takes a final look at the clinical work space for the Niagara Diabetes Centre with Welland Site Engineering Services Manager Alain Boucher and Planning & Development Project Co-ordinator Dawn Blackman.
The Niagara Diabetes Centre (NDC) is making a move to newly-renovated space at Welland Site.
The Diabetes Centre is an outpatient regional diabetes education and management program offered in six Niagara communities – Fort Erie, Grimsby, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, St. Catharines and Welland. The main office, known as the hub, is moving from Ontario Street Site in St. Catharines to Welland Site, and will be open for business Feb. 1.
The NDC hub will be housed on the main floor at Welland Site, across from Administration.
“The area was built for the temporary dialysis unit,” says program manager Cathy Lanteigne. “It is bright and airy which makes it feel less institutional, and the space offers efficient flow for patients coming for clinics and counselling sessions with staff. In addition, the enhanced clinic space will now permit medical, nursing and nutrition students to work with physicians and clinical diabetes team members.”
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. Registered Nurses and Dietitians will continue to meet with clients individually or in group forums during scheduled sessions Monday to Friday.
Main office activities include centralized bookings for all program locations. A number of patient services will now be offered at the Welland hub:
- Physician-managed clinics
- Specialty appointments for paediatric 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 NDC is the only diabetes program in Niagara registered by the Ministry to validate that criteria are met and maintained by clients seeking insulin-pump funding. This program is specifically for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes. Clients who come to physician clinics may also have their required appointments with the NDC diabetes team co-ordinated at the same time to optimize the client/family’s visit to the hub. «
