News

Funding Commitment Means More Access to Chronic Pain Management Sooner for Northwestern Ontario

Date: 2023-03-31

Thunder Bay, ON - St. Joseph's Care Group's Chronic Pain Management Program is expanding, thanks to an investment of $1.4 million in annual funding from the Ministry of Health.

Launched in 1998, the Chronic Pain Management Program offers an in-person and virtual self-management approach to pain management. Together with a multidisciplinary health team, clients set goals and develop a personalized care plan along with education and coping strategies to meet those goals.

The funding will have immediate impact in Northwestern Ontario, reducing wait times by adding 150 spaces to the program, bringing total served to more than 1,000 people per year. A portion of the funding will be directed to earlier identification of people who would benefit from a Chronic Pain Management Program.

"This $1.4 million investment from the Ministry of Health will be put to good use, creating more capacity and reducing wait times for the Chronic Pain Management Program. For people who live with chronic pain, having a plan to manage pain and meet their unique wellness goals directly impacts quality of life." Kelli O'Brien, President & CEO, St. Joseph's Care Group

"I am pleased to see the expansion of the Chronic Pain Management Program as it is an important step forward in providing accessible care for those who suffer from chronic pain. As we know, managing chronic pain is crucial for maintaining good physical and mental health. I am committed to working with St. Joseph's Care Group and other healthcare providers to ensure that individuals in our region have access to the necessary care and resources to manage their chronic pain effectively." Kevin Holland, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

Quick Facts

• According to the Canadian Pain Task Force Report (March 2021), more than 8 million people in Canada live with chronic pain.
• Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that has lasted longer than 3-6 months, has not improved with other treatments, and impacts all aspects of a client's life
• St. Joseph's Care Group's Chronic Pain Management Program offers two primary services: a 6-week program, and an accelerated PACE-IT (Pain Assessment Collaborative Educational Interprofessional Therapy) program.
• The Chronic Pain Management Program is based on best practices and established evidence for the prevention of chronic pain in alignment with Ontario Health - Health Quality Programs' Standards for Chronic Pain.

For more information, please contact:

St. Joseph's Care Group
Communications, Engagement & Client Relations
Media Line: (807) 768-4455
Email: sjcg@tbh.net