LE T TER TO THE EDITOR
Reader disappointed with closing of diabetes clinic at hospital DEAR EDITOR,
The following is an open letter to the Board of Directors at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital: I recently became aware of a budget cut that will eliminate a very essential health service at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital. After 28 years of well-needed service to the Perth community, diabetes educator Barb Perrin and the Diabetes Education Centre within the Perth hospital are on the chopping block on March 31. I came to know Barb personally in 2012 when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. My work, that involved travel in remote places as an outdoor adventure guide, tree-planter, and African aid worker presented serious challenges to a newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetic. Fortunately, with Barb’s long distance mentoring, we solved many problems. Without Barb and the Perth hospital’s diabetes centre, I never would have learned to
manage my diabetes as well as I have. I am grateful for all her sage advice and her strong commitment to her role as a diabetes educator that has helped so many people from the Perth community. This budget cut from the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital will result in a full closure of outpatient services for pre-diabetes and people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes which includes two-day diabetes education programs and ongoing individual counselling. Furthermore, the cutback will axe consultation and patient connections between local doctors and the Perth diabetes centre which assists in improving diabetes management, suggesting new diabetes medications, initiating insulin starts, providing updates in diabetes education and more. The plan to replace Perth’s diabetes education centre with the Rideau Valley Diabetes Services, which has offices in Smiths Falls and Brockville,
will result in lower quality care for people in Perth living with diabetes and less resources for diabetics throughout the Rideau Valley. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, there are currently more than 11 million Canadians with diabetes and pre-diabetes, and within 10 years this number is expected to increase to 14 million Canadians. We must realize that educating people to take control of their diabetes will save money in the long run instead of the alternative, which would mean lengthy hospital stays, dialysis, and surgeries. With this long-term perspective, I advocate that the board of directors at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital rescind their motion to cut their diabetes program. Please reconsider the appropriate way to address the serious prevalence of diabetes in Canada, Sincerely, Dave Cuddy Perth, Ontario
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