Ms. Sidhu is referring to a very important study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, conducted in Ontario and a number of other provinces, looking at the highest risk individuals with diabetes, and demonstrating the importance of chiropody-led and nursing-led care pathways for individuals to address the issue of the prevention of amputations related to diabetic foot ulcers.
In the care of people with diabetes, complication rates are highest in the highest risk groups. You've just heard us discuss some of those populations at highest risk. In Canada today, we really have a very poor approach to the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. In Ontario alone, every four hours there is an amputation for untreated diabetic foot ulcers. In Alberta this has been studied, and Alberta Health Services has identified that 85% of these amputations could be prevented.
The study that Ms. Sidhu is presenting is one to identify those care pathways that need to be initiated for the highest risk groups. We believe in a combination of early detection, particularly in the context of primary care, and potentially segmenting those people with highest risk into specific care that is chiropody-led. This doesn't require physicians. It really is a nursing issue. In most provinces, particularly in Ontario today, chiropody care in the community is not paid for. This is one of the biggest barriers to care. Furthermore, medication costs for individuals at high risk may not be covered by current provincial plans.
These are all areas that need to be studied, with evidence to support new pathways for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations.