Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Ensuring The Best Possible Care For MS Patients
McGuinty Government Establishes Expert Panel To Provide Advice On Best Practices
Ontario is establishing an expert advisory group to provide advice on follow-up care and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who return to Ontario after undergoing the experimental Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) procedure outside of Canada.
The expert advisory group will develop best practice guidelines on treatment for these patients and will provide these recommendations to the government. The members are :
- Dr. Barry Rubin, medical director of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre
- Dr. Paul O’Connor, director of the MS Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital
- Dr. David Henry, president and CEO of the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences
- Dr. Marcelo Kremenchutzky, director of the MS Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre
- Dr. Julian Spears, co-director of the neurovascular program at St. Michael’s Hospital
- Dr. Liesly Lee, consultant neurologist at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and director of the Sunnybrook MS clinic
- Dr. Andreas Laupacis, executive director at Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital.
In keeping with the recommendation of the MS Society of Canada, Ontario would also support the federal government if it moves to create a national multiple sclerosis registry for patients living with MS.
Today’s announcement is part of the government's Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services while improving quality and accountability for patients.
QUOTES
“I’m confident the group’s work will ensure that people who make the difficult decision to undergo the CCSVI procedure out of province will receive the best possible care when they return.” - Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“The MS Society of Canada is pleased that the Ontario government has responded to our request to ensure that appropriate and timely medical care is available to those who undergo treatment for CCSVI abroad. People with MS who choose to seek treatment abroad for CCSVI deserve timely access to post-treatment, follow-up care. This is why the MS Society of Canada has called on all provinces and territories to address this important issue. We welcome the leadership of the Government of Ontario in addressing this issue through the creation of an expert panel.” - Yves Savoie, President and CEO of the MS Society of Canada
QUICK FACTS
- A new theory hypothesizes a new condition called Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI). The theory proposes that this condition causes MS symptoms and that an experimental surgical procedure can alleviate many of these symptoms. At this time, the CCSVI procedure is not an insured service in Ontario.
- There are currently seven US and Canadian MS Society funded studies examining the potential link between MS and venous blockage. Two of them are in Ontario - at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and the Ottawa Hospital.
- Ontario will continue to monitor and review the safety and effectiveness of this procedure as new evidence arises.
LEARN MORE
Find out the latest information about multiple sclerosis at the MS Society of Canada.
backgrounder
Multiple Sclerosis Expert Advisory Group
For more information:
Public Inquiries
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline
at 1-866-532-3161
TTY 1-800-387-5559.
In Toronto, TTY 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
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