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St. Joseph's General Hospital Elliot Lake

Diabetes Education
Program

The East Algoma Diabetes Education and Care Program is located on 2nd floor at St Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake.

Diabetes services are available Monday to Friday, except for statutory holidays.       

Note: We provide patients with a token to exit the paid parking area.

Click here to view the Diabetes Education and Care Program brochure.

Program

We are Certified Diabetes Educators: a Registered Nurse and a Registered Dietitian. 

Our program is designed to give you the skills to manage your diabetes. We provide expert diabetes consults to individuals over 18 years of age living with: prediabetes, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

When you are a patient in our program, we focus on your diabetes, your needs and your goals. This may be providing education to understand your disease or managing your medications. We promote self management.

We follow the current Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines and offer the following services:

  • Individual appointments (family/friend welcome to attend with the patient).
  • Group classes on a variety of topics, as needed.
  • Nutrition counselling – healthy eating choices, weight management, heart health and physical activity.
  • Diabetes medications education and/or review: oral pills, injectable and insulin.
  • Insulin starts education and follow up.
  • Insulin pumps when applicable (we have ADP status).
  • Education/demonstration of blood sugar monitoring tools, including continuous real time blood sugar monitoring.
  • Foot exams with education on caring for your feet. As needed, a referral to a Chiropodist (foot care specialist) or foot care Nurse when necessary.
  • We can assist you with medication coverage process, completion of forms: Trillium benefit plan, Insulin syringes, medical necessities, diet allowance and ADP forms.

We coordinate your diabetes care by working closely with your family Physician/Nurse Practitioner (if you do not have one, we will work with the Virtual Clinic). We also work with your Endocrinologist (if you have one), via letter or telephone. We can also set up virtual appointments here at our Hospital with your Endocrinologist, with one of us in attendance, if you wish. We have a shared care collaboration with Health Science North – Diabetes Care Service program, when needed.

How to Register with SJGHEL’s Diabetes Education and Care Program

There are two ways to register:

 1. Ask your Physician, Nurse Practitioner or other Health Care Professional (Pharmacist, etc.) to send a referral by fax: 705-848-9006. Our secretary will contact you to schedule an appointment at a convenient day and time for you.

2. You can refer yourself by calling 705-848-7182 ext. 2463. Our secretary will obtain some information to complete the referral form. You will be contacted to schedule an appointment at a convenient day and time for you.

Outpatient Diabetes Services – Referral Form

Appointment Registration

  • If you never attended our Hospital, you will need to come 15 minutes early to register with the Admitting Department. You will need need to bring your Health Card. They will provide you with a yellow form and stickers that you will bring to us.
  • If you have attended our Hospital in the past, for any reason, it means you are registered in our system. You do not need to come early as we will pre-register you for your appointment. In this case, you can come directly to our office.

Location

From SJGEHL’s main entrance/front doors you will turn right, walk down the long hall to the elevators. Our office is located on the 2nd Floor, Room 220.  Immediately across the hall is the Secretary’s Office. There are chairs for you to sit comfortably while waiting. You are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you (subject to any active visitor restrictions).

Appointments

Whether you are newly diagnosed or new to our program in Elliot Lake, be ready for an extended first visit. We’re going to get to know you! 

We will discuss your medical history, your health, lifestyle and nutrition habits. We want to know what’s working and where you have challenges managing your diabetes. You will leave with a treatment plan that you design along with your Educator, as well as a date/time for your next appointment.

For all appointments, bring your blood glucose meter and logbook if you have one. If you do not test your blood sugars often, we ask that you take a few tests the week prior to your appointment at different meals. 

Note: if you do not have a glucometer, please advise the Secretary when she calls to schedule an appointment. 

We will contact your Pharmacy to obtain a current list of your medications.