Richmond Hill, ON (June 5, 2023) – Mackenzie Health is pleased to announce the introduction of a new Mobile Diabetes Foot Care Clinic in Richmond Hill. This new service will increase access to high-quality foot care for people living with diabetes to prevent serious complications that could include infections or even limb amputation. It will also help patients struggling to travel to stationary clinics throughout northern York Region, Southern Simcoe County and Georgina Island, thanks to a collaborative partnership with Southlake Regional Health Centre, Mackenzie Health, Oak Valley Health, Humber River Hospital, North York Family Health Team, North York General, Vaughan Community Health Centre, SE Health and CareFirst.
“Preventative foot care is so important for people living with diabetes,” says Mary-Agnes Wilson, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Executive, Mackenzie Health. “Taking care of your feet prevents future complications and will lead to an improved quality of life. We’re pleased to be part of a collaborative effort with our community and hospital partners to bring this important service to patients in a convenient way that’s closer to home.”
It is essential people living with diabetes take good care of their feet. Diabetes is a life-long disease that can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels over time, which can lead to loss of feeling and decreased blood flow in the feet. If left untreated, serious complications including ulcers and lower limb amputation could occur. This new mobile clinic addresses the challenges of accessing timely preventative foot care and maintenance by providing services closer to home for patients with mobility challenges.
By increasing access to care, the new mobile clinic is expected to help to reduce visits to Emergency Departments across the region by offering basic foot care from specialized foot care nurses that includes examinations, toenail trimming and foot care education.
Patients interested in receiving care through the Mobile Diabetes Foot Care Clinic can do so through the Diabetes Education Clinic at their local partner hospital, family health team or community health centre.
Quick Facts
- The Mobile Diabetes Foot Care Clinic will support more than 300 patients in its first year.
- The clinic will offer treatment to people living with diabetes registered through one of the partner Diabetes Education Clinics, with a focus on providing care for those with financial difficulties, no extended health benefits, transportation and mobility issues, cognitive and physical impairment, issues with activities of daily living/basic self-care, diabetes neuropathy, diabetes nephropathy and diabetes retinopathy.
- The clinic, which is a one-year pilot project currently funded until March 31, 2024, will rotate throughout the local partner municipalities visiting each municipality at least once a month for a full day of patient treatments.
Quotes
“This new clinic is a testament to the collaboration and partnership of our local hospitals and community partners. The introduction of a mobile foot care service will extend the reach of clinical care to diabetic patients, fostering accessibility and equity of services for this high need and underserviced population of patients.”
- Elizabeth Ferguson, Vice President People, Interprofessional Practice and Patient Experience and Chief Nursing Executive, Southlake Regional Health Centre
“North York General Hospital is excited to be part of this important initiative that is bringing quality foot care to people with diabetes, closer to home. Good foot health plays a critical role in overall health and wellness.”
- Susan Woollard, Vice President, Clinical Services, Quality and Long Term Care, Chief Nursing Executive, North York General Hospital
"Humber River Health, with the support of the North Western Toronto Ontario Health, is proud to be a part of this collaborative clinic. Our strong partnerships with local hospitals and community organizations make this endeavor possible. By providing mobile foot care services to individuals living with diabetes in North West Toronto, we strive to advance the diverse healthcare needs of our community by enhancing accessibility and promoting equity in healthcare. Together, we will deliver exceptional and comprehensive community care, fulfilling the needs of our deserving community."
- Beatrise Edelstein, Vice President, Post Acute Care and Health System Partnerships, Humber River Health
“This initiative is so important for our community, as it allows our diabetes patients to perform preventative foot care in a timely manner, conveniently accessible outside of the hospital, to ensure that their feet remain healthy and pain-free. This is care beyond our walls that we can provide, in part, thanks to our collaboration with our community partners and trusted colleagues.”
- Terri Stuart-McEwan, Vice President, Clinical Programs, and Chief Nursing Officer, Oak Valley Health
“At SE Health, we take pride in bringing hope and happiness to the communities we serve, meeting people’s needs through exceptional, holistic, and equitable life care – on-the-go and in the places they call home. We have a long history of providing foot care and collaborating with hospital partners to ensure specialty care like this is delivered by the right teams, in the right places; and our participation in this partnership is an expansion of that incredible work. Thank you to our existing and new partners for their trust in SE Health, and for coming together in this innovative way to ensure ongoing excellence in community care for people who need it.”
- Shelby Fisch, Vice President Acute Care Operations at SE Health
Media Contact:
Christina Cindric
Senior Communications Consultant and Public Affairs Lead, Mackenzie Health
christina.cindric@mackenziehealth.ca
905-883-1212, ext. 7490 or 437-922-1509
For more information about the Diabetes Education Centre at Mackenzie Health, visit the Diabetes Education page or email diabetes@mackenziehealth.ca