Canada: Ontario to promote clinics for people living with rare diseases

“I am pleased that these clinics … are another example of how Ontario is putting patients first to provide them with better access to high quality of care closer to home,” said Dr. Hoskins, media reports said.

“Today’s announcement means care will be streamlined, ensuring better access for those with rare diseases,” said Coteau.

Run by University Health Network and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), the EDS clinic will provide primary care providers with a single point of contact to for relevant advice on diagnosis and treatment options for clinical experts and make referrals to specialists.

Dr. Peter Pisters, President and CEO, University Health Network said, “The government’s support for this clinic is much appreciated …optimally integrated, world class coordination of care for Ehlers-Danlos patients in Ontario.”

Ontario is making an initial investment of $991,000 to support the start-up and operation of the EDS clinic and another $622,500 to expand University Health Network’s inherited metabolic disorders and red blood cell disorders clinics.

In January 2016, Ontario developed a Clinical Handbook to impart knowledge about best practices for treating patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Ontario co-leads a pan-Canadian Rare Disease working group with British Columbia and Alberta to develop a national strategy to improve easy access to drugs for rare diseases as well as address their high costs.

(Reported by Asha Bajaj)

(Photograph of Dr. Eric Hoskins: Wikipedia)