Volunteer Week

April 16, 2018 – It’s Volunteer Week from April 15 to 21, 2018 and we would like to tip our hats to them! The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is proud to rely on the services of its fifty or so active volunteers who provide valuable assistance to our organization. Volunteers are key to the success of the CSCE. Their talent and the time and energy they invest in their role as volunteers enrich the work that we do.

There are several opportunities for volunteering at the CSCE, including the following programs and activities:

  • Vaccination clinics
  • Knitting club/card & sand bag games activities
  • Community gardens
  • Support group
  • Green Food Box program
  • Exercise program/walking club
  • Office work

Thank you for your dedication!

For more information about the Volunteer Week, visit www.fcabq.org.

You would like to apply to become a volunteer at CSCE? Visit the Volunteer page for more information about volunteer opportunities.

 

The CSCE will be closed on Good Friday (March 30, 2018) and Easter Monday (April 2, 2018).

Happy Easter!

November 14, 2017 – The World Diabetes Day 2017 campaign will promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk for or living with diabetes to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, selfmanagement education and information they require to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes and strengthen their capacity to prevent type 2 diabetes.

There are currently over 199 million women living with diabetes and this total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040. Gender roles and power dynamics
influence vulnerability to diabetes, affect access to health services and health seeking behavior for women, and amplify the impact of diabetes on women.

Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths each year. As a result of socioeconomic conditions, girls and women with diabetes experience barriers in accessing cost-effective diabetes prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care, particularly in developing
countries. Socioeconomic inequalities expose women to the main risk factors of diabetes, including poor diet and nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco
consumption and harmful use of alcohol.

Two out of every five women with diabetes are of reproductive age, accounting for over 60 million women worldwide. Women with diabetes have more difficulty conceiving and may have poor pregnancy outcomes. Without pre-conception planning, type 1 and type 2 diabetes can result in a significantly higher risk of maternal and child mortality and morbidity.

Approximately one in seven births is affected by gestational diabetes (GDM), a severe and neglected threat to maternal and child health. Many women with GDM
experience pregnancy related complications including high blood pressure, large birth weight babies and obstructed labour. A significant number of women with GDM also go on to develop type 2 diabetes resulting in further healthcare complications and costs.

Stigmatisation and discrimination faced by people with diabetes are particularly pronounced for girls and women, who carry a double burden of discrimination
because of their health status and the inequalities perpetrated in male dominated societies. These inequalities can discourage girls and women from seeking diagnosis and treatment, preventing them from achieving positive health outcomes.

***

For more detail on the World Diabetes Day, visit www.worlddiabetesday.org

Are you at risk of having pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes? Take the test at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/en/canrisk

For more information on the services offered at the CSCE Diabetes Education Program (DEP), go to the DEP page.

It takes a community to prevent a fall.
We all have a role to play!

Did you know? In Ontario, falls to older adults accounted for $1 billion in direct health care costs.

Fall Prevention Month encourages organizations to coordinate their efforts for a larger impact. Organizations in Ontario and beyond participate by planning activities and sharing evidence-based information on fall prevention. Together, we can raise the profile of fall prevention and help everyone see their role in keeping older adults active, independent and healthy as they age.

To learn more, go to fallpreventionmonth.ca

Marc Bisson, Executive Director at the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) received a distinction award after delivering a brief presentation on the quality of care received under the low back pain pilot project during Health Quality Ontario’s conference which was held in Toronto on October 24, 2017.

Under the theme Quality Matters, this conference focused on bringing quality care to the Ontario health care system and the best way to achieve this goal. More than 300 abstracts, which focused on six dimensions of a high-functioning health system, were received and reviewed by a panel consisting of members from Health Quality Ontario, partner organizations and patient advisors from across Ontario. The low back pain pilot project ranked at the top of its category. The following six dimensions were taken into consideration during the reviewal process: safety, effectiveness, patient-centredness, efficiency, timeliness and equity.

The low back pain pilot project began at the CSCE in January 2015. It is designed to help interprofessional health care teams provide the best possible care to patients suffering from low back pain. By hiring two chiropractors, the CSCE has increased access to care, resulting in the treatment of patients who otherwise would not have received such services. Generally, the treatment of low back pain by a chiropractor can cost upwards of $400, which means individuals with low incomes or those who do not have insurance are unlikely to access these services. Moreover, this project helps lower costs by reducing the number of unnecessary diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Since the inception of the pilot project, more than 470 patients have seen a chiropractor at the CSCE or at the Glengarry Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic in Lancaster, where the CSCE also offers English services. Chiropractic treatment consists of a rigorous examination to assess if the problem is muscle or joint-related, or if it is the result of another health problem. This is followed up with adjustments to the spine, muscles and surrounding structures. Lastly, treatment includes teaching patients how to better manage their pain by doing exercises and following certain recommendations so they can heal faster. On average, ten visits are required for treatment.

The project has achieved many positive outcomes. From a patient perspective, many have reduced the dose of their pain medication. Recreational activities previously abandoned due to low back pain were also resumed more quickly after treatment.

Below are some interesting facts gathered from a survey conducted on 146 patients who received services through the low-back pain pilot project:

  • 94% were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the assessment of their condition and the services rendered.
  • 87% agreed or strongly agreed that the pilot project enabled them to receive services they may not have otherwise received.
  • 83% agreed or strongly agreed that they required less medication to help manage their low back pain after receiving services.
  • 91% agreed or strongly agreed that they were better able to self-manage their low back pain after receiving services.
  • 93% agreed or strongly agreed that their quality of life had improved after receiving services.

The pilot project has also generated positive impacts on the health care system, including:

  • A reduction in referral consultations with specialists and diagnostic imaging tests.
  • A reduction in hospital emergency visits for low back pain problems.
  • A reduction in medication being prescribed for low back pain.

Initially, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funded the pilot project for two years, from 2015 to 2017. However, given its overall positive outcomes, financing has been extended until 2018, after which time we cannot say with certainty if the project will continue. “This pilot project quickly exceeded expectations. The formula is simple, effective and cost-efficient. It would be a shame for it to come to an end in March 2018 due to a lack of funding. The outstanding work of our team of chiropractors not only significantly reduces the costs on the health care system but changes the lives of individuals who suffer from low back pain.” added Marc Bisson, Executive Director at the CSCE.

For more details on the CSCE low back pain pilot project, click here.

It’s flu season!

Vaccination is the best defence against the spread of flu. Get vaccinated! 

Every fall, the Centre de santé offers seasonal flu vaccination clinics.

Flu is a serious infection that can result in severe complications. Nobody is safe from the flu. Your best means of defense against the flu is vaccination.
Vaccination is provided free of charge.

Alexandria (by appointment only)

For those at high risk of complications only :

  • Monday, October 30th from 1 :30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For general population :

  • Wednesday, November 15th from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, November 16th from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 21st from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 22nd from 13:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 29th from 5:50 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Bourget (by appointment only)

  • Wednesday, October 25th from 9 :30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 1st from 9 :30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 8th from 9 :30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Cornwall

  • Thursday, November 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 8th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, November 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Crysler (by appointment only)

  • Wednesday, October 25th from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 8th from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  •  Tuesday, November 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Embrun (by appointment only)

For CSCE clients :

  • Wednesday, November 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, November 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Friday, November 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For general population :

  • Monday, November 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Getting vaccinated against the flu means protecting yourself!

For more details about the flu, please go to the MOHLTC Website and learn about the virus and recognize the symptoms.

 

Limoges, October 13, 2017 – After many months of hard work, the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is proud to welcome the public to its new access point in Limoges. Members of the interprofessional team are excited to begin offering services to this community.

To that effect, the CSCE provides primary health care services and mental health consultations. It also promotes healthy lifestyles by supporting local communities so that its members can adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Group activities which will be offered to the community of Limoges have not yet been finalized, however, the CSCE traditionally offers exercise groups like resistance band exercises and fall prevention for the elderly. Therapeutic groups are also offered and these generally include stress and anxiety management, mindfulness meditation and yoga. “It is important for us to listen to the community in order to better adapt our programs and services to meet its needs.” stated Étienne Grandmaître Saint-Pierre, Manager at the CSCE. Incidentally, the CSCE held a public consultation with the citizens of Limoges on October 2 to learn more about their health care needs and interests.

The CSCE in Limoges will welcome its first clients on Monday, October 23, 2017. Its hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Appointments will also be available at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday mornings for those who need to undergo blood tests that require fasting. The CSCE continues to accept registration forms from people who wish to become clients. Hence, if you require the services of a doctor, a nurse practitioner, a mental health professional or information pertaining to diabetes, do not hesitate to contact the CSCE in Limoges at 613-557-2210 or by email at limoges@cscestrie.on.ca. It should be noted that all services provided are free of charge, whether it be for a medical appointment, a therapeutic session or participation in a group activity. Moreover, you do not need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner at the CSCE to benefit from the other services offered.

The CSCE is proud to be a contributing partner of the Limoges Health Hub project. Its integration into a building that houses a pharmacy, a dentist and a private medical clinic will facilitate collaborative partnerships which will further benefit the citizens of Limoges. On a related subject, the CSCE is happy to announce that is has established a partnership with Prescott and Russell Community Services who will provide their services from within the premises of CSCE offices.

And finally, the success of this project which rallies the community while demonstrating its strength and continuity reflects the commitment of the Limoges Health Hub Volunteer Committee. “The CSCE would like to congratulate the committee members for their vision and their dedicated work.” stated Marc Bisson, Executive Director at the CSCE.

All the staff from the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie would like to wish you a happy Labour Day.

Please note that the Centre de santé will be closed on Monday September 4th.

 

Healthcare: a community matter!

Come and discuss your vision and needs concerning healthcare for your community.

Coffee and snacks will be served.

Your opinion matters!

Click on the centre closest to your home to learn about the date and time of the event:

Bourget
Cornwall
Alexandria
Limoges
Embrun
Crysler

The annual report provide you a complete overview of the CSCE activities as well as a financial statements.

Download the Annual Report 2016-2017 (in PDF) and learn more a the CSCE priorities and achievements in the past year.

Happy reading!