Articles
General · 9th June 2011
HANS Editor
On June 3rd, 2011 HANS was delighted to attend and witness the announcement of a total of $5 million in funding for the expansion of long-time members and friends of HANS, InspireHealth Integrated Cancer Care Center. Minister of Health Michael de Jong made the announcement along with Vancouver-Fairview MLA Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid. A wonderful response of gratitude from Dr. Hal Gunn, co-founder and CEO of InspireHealth and cancer survivor Carol Sicoli, finished up the formal announcements.
It was a beautiful day for such a joyous occasion at the Rooftop Garden of InspireHealth. With about 100 attendees along with various members of the media, the honorable Michael de Jong made the announcement to the cheers of many. “Integrated Cancer Care is part of our commitment to support British Columbians make the healthier choice, the easier choice. Integrated cancer care provides patients with access to improved physical, emotional and nutritional health as well as new opportunities for patients to engage with practitioners about natural therapy interventions and healthy lifestyles.”
The following is from the InspireHealth media release:
VANCOUVER – Five new integrated cancer care centres, including a virtual one in Vancouver to serve rural and remote parts of British Columbia, will open as part of Healthy Families BC.
Expansion of InspireHealth, which has operated a Vancouver centre since 1997, will improve cancer care delivery and help patients learn about the many ways they can support their own health and recovery. Integrated cancer care combines nutrition, exercise, and stress management programs with standard cancer treatments to promote an overall healthier lifestyle, which is proven to lead to better patient outcomes and cancer survival rates.
The new InspireHealth centres are scheduled to open in Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford and Prince George in a phased approach beginning in September 2011. Full implementation is expected by September 2012.
There is growing evidence that integrated cancer care approaches support health and immune function and can significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and increase survival.
Core health classes, dedicated to supporting health and healthful lifestyle changes such as healthy nutrition and cooking classes, exercise, meditation, yoga, shared learning groups and stress reduction classes will be offered at all integrated cancer care centres. InspireHealth is funded through a mix of physician salaries, patient-pay-fees and private donations.
Access to InspireHealth’s physicians and nurse practitioners is free. InspireHealth has a number of other programs including core health classes, as well as a two-day LIFE Program that costs $445 for the first year of membership and $95 for annual renewals. The fee is waived for patients on Medical Service Plan Premium Assistance. In-house therapy practitioners –such as massage therapists, acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors – have patient-pay-fees.
The Ministry of Health is providing one-time, start-up funding totalling $2.5 million for five new centres including a virtual one in Vancouver. Additional annual funding of $2.5 million from the Provincial Health Services Authority will provide up to 12 additional medical doctors.
Expansion of integrated cancer centres in communities beyond Vancouver, especially the virtual centre to service rural and remote communities, supports the government’s commitment to ensuring the provision of services, including access to health care, is looked at through a rural lens.
Greater access to integrated cancer care is part of Healthy Families BC, which supports British Columbians to manage their own health, reduce chronic disease and ensure that pregnancy and support programs target the province’s most vulnerable families. Additionally, the strategy will continue to focus on healthy eating initiatives, including a public awareness campaign around sodium and sweetened beverage reduction as well as a provincial restaurant nutrition information program to help make the healthier choice the easier choice.
It was a beautiful day for such a joyous occasion at the Rooftop Garden of InspireHealth. With about 100 attendees along with various members of the media, the honorable Michael de Jong made the announcement to the cheers of many. “Integrated Cancer Care is part of our commitment to support British Columbians make the healthier choice, the easier choice. Integrated cancer care provides patients with access to improved physical, emotional and nutritional health as well as new opportunities for patients to engage with practitioners about natural therapy interventions and healthy lifestyles.”
The following is from the InspireHealth media release:
VANCOUVER – Five new integrated cancer care centres, including a virtual one in Vancouver to serve rural and remote parts of British Columbia, will open as part of Healthy Families BC.
Expansion of InspireHealth, which has operated a Vancouver centre since 1997, will improve cancer care delivery and help patients learn about the many ways they can support their own health and recovery. Integrated cancer care combines nutrition, exercise, and stress management programs with standard cancer treatments to promote an overall healthier lifestyle, which is proven to lead to better patient outcomes and cancer survival rates.
The new InspireHealth centres are scheduled to open in Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford and Prince George in a phased approach beginning in September 2011. Full implementation is expected by September 2012.
There is growing evidence that integrated cancer care approaches support health and immune function and can significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and increase survival.
Core health classes, dedicated to supporting health and healthful lifestyle changes such as healthy nutrition and cooking classes, exercise, meditation, yoga, shared learning groups and stress reduction classes will be offered at all integrated cancer care centres. InspireHealth is funded through a mix of physician salaries, patient-pay-fees and private donations.
Access to InspireHealth’s physicians and nurse practitioners is free. InspireHealth has a number of other programs including core health classes, as well as a two-day LIFE Program that costs $445 for the first year of membership and $95 for annual renewals. The fee is waived for patients on Medical Service Plan Premium Assistance. In-house therapy practitioners –such as massage therapists, acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors – have patient-pay-fees.
The Ministry of Health is providing one-time, start-up funding totalling $2.5 million for five new centres including a virtual one in Vancouver. Additional annual funding of $2.5 million from the Provincial Health Services Authority will provide up to 12 additional medical doctors.
Expansion of integrated cancer centres in communities beyond Vancouver, especially the virtual centre to service rural and remote communities, supports the government’s commitment to ensuring the provision of services, including access to health care, is looked at through a rural lens.
Greater access to integrated cancer care is part of Healthy Families BC, which supports British Columbians to manage their own health, reduce chronic disease and ensure that pregnancy and support programs target the province’s most vulnerable families. Additionally, the strategy will continue to focus on healthy eating initiatives, including a public awareness campaign around sodium and sweetened beverage reduction as well as a provincial restaurant nutrition information program to help make the healthier choice the easier choice.
Dr Hal Gunn expressing his appreciation
The announcement couldn't have been held in a more lovely environment on the rooftop of InspireHealth
Learning how InspireHealth is different required active participation!
Media everywhere for this announcement!