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Global News
03-07-2025
- Health
- Global News
‘Nothing Was Ready': Inside Canada's Vaccine Injury Support Program
A $50-million program the federal government created to help Canadians seriously injured by COVID-19 vaccines is in disarray, current and former staffers say. The Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP), created during the pandemic, was designed to compensate people who have been seriously and permanently injured by any Health Canada-authorized vaccine administered in Canada on or after Dec. 8, 2020. The Public Health Agency of Canada subsequently selected a consulting firm, Oxaro Inc., to administer the program. The Ottawa-based company vowed it had the 'people, processes, and tools' to run the initiative with 'industry best practices.' However, a five-month-long Global News investigation, involving more than 30 interviews with current and former Oxaro employees, injured claimants and their attorneys, has uncovered allegations that the company was unequipped to deliver fully on the program's mission, questions about why the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) chose this company over others, and internal documents that suggest poor planning from the start. Global News also heard descriptions of a workplace that lacked the gravitas of a program meant to assist the seriously injured and chronically ill: drinking in the office, ping pong, slushies and Netflix streaming at desks. The overall result: many claimants feel they have not received the 'timely and fair' access to support that the government promised. View image in full screen People wait in line at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal in January 2022. Graham Hughes / Canadian Press When the pandemic struck in 2020, Canada was caught flat-footed. Advertisement It was the only G7 country without a vaccine injury support program. Millions of Canadians lined up for the shots, which helped reduce emergency room admissions and curtail the impact of the pandemic. The government reassured the public that they'd be safe, but it acknowledged that in rare cases, people could experience serious side effects. There have been 11,702 reports of serious adverse events following a COVID-19 vaccination, according to Health Canada. That's equal to 0.011 per cent of the 105,015,456 doses administered as of December 2023. Reactions included Guillain-Barré Syndrome, myocarditis, cardiac arrest and Bell's Palsy. For those unfortunate few, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau pledged that VISP would look after them. 'We want to make sure that Canadians have fair access to support,' he said in December 2020. Two months later, PHAC invited companies to submit proposals for administering VISP, saying the agency lacked the staff and expertise to operate the program itself, according to a draft 2023 report on VISP by Health Canada and PHAC. The government viewed the outsourcing decision as 'the best option.' That way, it could avoid a conflict of interest that would arise from serving as both the approver of the vaccines and the one that compensated people for the harms vaccines caused, the documents explained. Four entities responded to the PHAC request and had roughly three weeks to apply. Among them was Oxaro (then called Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.), a firm that vowed to employ 'experienced dedicated case managers to support a claimant throughout the application process.' It won the contract. The minister of health pushed Oxaro to launch three months ahead of schedule. But when the program did, in June 2021, some former staffers say the company wasn't ready. View image in full screen Global News Oxaro and the Public Health Agency of Canada declined to be interviewed for this story. In a statement to Global News, Oxaro wrote, 'Our process ensures that all cases are treated fairly and with the same care, respect, and due diligence.' 'Building the program as they went' Seven former workers told Global News that the staff VISP hired to run the day-to-day operations had little, if any, experience in public health, insurance or claims management. Many employees were straight out of high school or college, or had previous jobs in retail, bartending and data entry, according to former workers and LinkedIn résumés. There was a revolving door of staff, according to several former employees. A half dozen members of the team that helped prepare the VISP bid were gone within six months, according to three sources familiar with the matter. Claims managers with more experience were eventually hired, but at least three quit, according to their colleagues. Among the employee frustrations, there was also no clear roadmap for managing a claim. Five current and former workers told Global News that policies and procedures were incomplete. Others bemoaned a lack of training. 'They (VISP) had no idea what they were doing,' one former worker said. 'Nothing was ready. We were still being designed two years after the contract was awarded.' 'They were building the program as they went,' another said. The Public Health Agency of Canada did write a policy framework for VISP, but it was up to Oxaro to design and implement it, according to PHAC documents. It wasn't properly fleshed out, former workers said. Advertisement 'I asked for the policy language we would use to decide cases,' one said. 'There was none.' As a result, another worker said they relied on 'word of mouth' to figure out how to handle claims. And to some injured claimants, that lack of guidance was obvious. Monroe Orleans, a realtor from Hamilton, says his VISP case manager asked him to contact his cardiologist to obtain a letter about his personal tax status. View image in full screen Monroe Orleans seen before and during his hospitalization for a vaccine injury to his heart. He says a VISP case manager asked him to contact his cardiologist to obtain a letter about his personal tax status. Courtesy Monroe Orleans 'Why?!' he exclaimed, mystified, questioning how a heart doctor would know anything about tax filings. VISP eventually approved Orleans' case for heart damage he suffered after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. He has a second claim for kidney failure still pending. Kimberly Macdougall, whose husband died of myopericarditis post-COVID-19 vaccine, was also left dumbfounded. At the height of her grief, VISP asked her to retrieve physiotherapy records from three years earlier, when her husband broke his hand playing ultimate frisbee. 'What does that have to do with anything?' she said. VISP also approved her case. View image in full screen Kimberly MacDougall questions why VISP required physiotherapy records from her late-husband, for a hand injury which occurred three years before his death. Patrick Capati / Global News Claims of drinking, ping pong, Netflix Inside VISP's downtown Ottawa office, the work culture included Friday afternoon drinks, ping pong games (often so loud they affected productivity), slushie machines, streaming videos on phones and 'a lot' of chitchat, former workers described. 'I felt like I was there to kind of hang out and socialize,' one said. 'It was kind of like school in a way.' Concerned about appearances, a top Oxaro executive sent an email in advance of an office visit from the Public Health Agency of Canada, instructing workers not to watch videos during the office drop-in. Though two workers confirmed the existence of the email, Global News was unable to obtain a copy. In the last year, some workers said, drinking on Fridays has ceased and the company has tried to curb video streaming in the office. Oxaro would not respond to questions about its workplace culture, nor would it comment on statements by former workers. Former workers say the casual environment inside VISP contributed to the company missing its targets. Claims piled up. One worker confessed that the amount of work they completed was 'well below' what was expected. Lost in the rising number of claims were the injured, the worker added. 'I don't think anyone actually understood the severity or the relevance of the program that was being contracted to the firm,' they said. 'I think they (injured claimants) were merely names on paper and nothing more than that.' View image in full screen People who say they have been hurt by vaccines must complete an application form before their claim can be evaluated. PHAC Those injured claimants said the treatment from VISP workers 'lacked humanity.' Advertisement One injured woman, whose case was eventually approved, said she was brought to tears when her claims manager shouted at her and swore, 'You're just after free money.' That same VISP case manager allegedly told a second injured person: 'You didn't have to get the vaccine.' He was later fired, according to former workers. Several workers said that despite the team's inexperience and limited resources, they still tried their hardest to provide support payments to those in need. View image in full screen VISP has approved 219 cases. More than 3,000 people have applied. 'I did everything I could for that program. I couldn't do any more,' one former worker said. A second former staffer said that in recent months, there were signs of improvement, but that the system was still as slow as 'molasses.' 'It's frustrating,' he said. 'I can't help these (injured) individuals out.' View image in full screen The Public Health Agency of Canada is based in Ottawa. Rob Kazemzadeh / Global News Global News sent Oxaro a 15-page list of questions, including detailed allegations from former workers and claimants. Oxaro would not comment on those specifics, stating instead it is working with PHAC and 'continues to adapt its approach based on actual number of applications and appeals received.' Read Oxaro's response to Global News. PHAC told Global News it 'takes the concerns raised by VISP claimants and beneficiaries seriously' and is 'actively reviewing the VISP experience to date,' including an examination of best practices from other countries, to ensure its 'future program will effectively meet the needs of Canadians.' The government's five-year deal with Oxaro is up for renewal in mid-2026. View image in full screen Of the $50.6 million the government of Canada has paid to Oxaro, a third of that amount, $16.9 million, has reached the injured. Oxaro has spent the rest on administrative and program costs, PHAC data shows. Oxaro said its monthly invoices to the government 'reflect actual costs' that are 'reviewed and approved by PHAC.' Health Canada Minister Marjorie Michel, via a spokesperson, sent an unsolicited email to Global News prior to publication, saying: 'These allegations are completely unacceptable… I've asked PHAC to find a solution that ensures a responsible use of funds and that people receive the support they need. All options are on the table.' Why a consulting firm? The question many injured claimants and former workers have raised over the course of this investigation: how did an accounting and advisory firm land a contract managing health claims? In its 155-page submission, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc. (now Oxaro) cited two examples of its experience in health claim adjudication. Advertisement One was designing and operating the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders, a smaller federal program that pays out a one-time, lump sum to beneficiaries of emergency workers who died as a direct result of their duties. The other was acting as liquidator of Union of Canada Life Insurance after it became insolvent in 2012, processing outstanding accident, life and medical claims, and transferring policies to other insurers until 2015. Three other contenders There were three other bidders for the VISP contract, and all had health claims adjudication experience: Green Shield Canada, Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. and ClaimsPro LP. Global News obtained a redacted copy of Green Shield's proposal, which highlighted its track record as Canada's 'fourth-largest health and dental benefits provider,' boasting over 60 years of experience. 'We are ready to begin intaking claims within 45 days,' the GSC bid stated, adding it had a proven track record of timely claim payments, with 99.9 per cent accuracy over each of the last four years. View image in full screen Green Shield Canada submitted a detailed proposal to administer VISP back in 2021, highlighting its decades of experience and status as a non-profit company. In March 2021, a six-person committee 'unanimously' selected RCGT, PHAC said. Although the Public Health Agency refused to explain why or how that decision was reached, it did reveal that RCGT (Oxaro) was neither the highest nor lowest bidder. The unsuccessful bidders would not answer questions from Global News. A flawed forecast As VISP enters its fifth year, roughly 1,700 applicants are still waiting for their cases to be reviewed and decided, according to VISP data. Part of the reason: the initial forecast for the volume of claims VISP would receive was wildly inaccurate, and the system wasn't prepared for the influx. In February 2021, PHAC initially estimated VISP would get 40 claims per year, with the possibility of higher-than-average numbers in the first three years. View image in full screen That number was bumped up to 400 'valid' claims annually, according to the contract between RCGT and PHAC signed four months later. It received that amount in the first five months alone, according to VISP data. VISP has received 3,073 claims to date. That unforeseen volume hampered the program's effectiveness almost from the start. Instead of living up to its bid promise of a call centre that would respond to emails within one hour and contact from an applicant within one day '90% of the time,' applicants have recently received emails stating, 'due to an unexpectedly high volume of claims' VISP will 'aim to contact claimants quarterly.' View image in full screen VISP has sent several claimants an automatic email response, saying they will aim to contact them 'quarterly.' In its written response, Oxaro said, 'VISP is a new and demand-based program with an unknown and fluctuating number of applications and appeals.' It continued, 'The volume of claims received does have a direct impact on processing timelines,' as does their 'nature and complexity.' Advertisement PHAC and Oxaro workers have stated the average claim takes 12-18 months to process. Some applicants who spoke with Global News have been waiting three years for their claim to be decided.
Economic Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Trudeau government under fire for failing Canadians suffering serious COVID vaccine complications
Live Events Stories of the claimants Even those approved remain frustrated (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A Canadian program designed to compensate people seriously injured by COVID-19 vaccines is facing growing criticism from claimants who say they've been abandoned, ignored, and denied basic largest immunization campaign in Canadian history helped curb the spread of COVID-19, saving thousands of lives and easing pressure on overcrowded emergency rooms. For the vast majority, vaccines marked the beginning of a return to normal for a small group who suffered serious side effects, life has never been the in 2021 by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau with a $50 million budget, the Vaccine Injury Support Program ( VISP ) was established to provide financial assistance to individuals who suffered permanent, serious harm after receiving a Health Canada-authorized vaccine. The program offers lump-sum payments, income replacement, and medical expense an investigation reveals that VISP is falling far short of its the $50.6 million spent to date, $33.7 million went to administration, while just $16.9 million reached injured Canadians. More than 3,000 claims have been submitted, but 1,700 are still waiting for a Pollock, a former kindergarten assistant from Ontario, was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a serious spinal condition, after vaccination. She now uses a wheelchair. Pollock submitted her VISP application in July 2022. It was lost. Three years later, her case is still in 'intake.''It costs me more to be alive than if I were dead,' she claimants shared similar experiences. Shannon Dupont, a Manitoba social worker, suffered a stroke and Bell's palsy after vaccination. She's had nine case managers, cashed out investments, and says she's owed $180, Becker was hospitalized with blood clots nine days after his shot. VISP denied his claim, citing missing platelet data. His appeal was mistakenly closed and ignored for nearly two Wightman, diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, received $270,000 in 2022. But he waited 20 months for income replacement, and says VISP's poor communication left him relying on 'the bank of family.'VISP was outsourced to private firm Oxaro Inc., which initially expected just 40 claims per year. Critics say the system wasn't prepared for the volume or complexity of real-world Minister Marjorie Michel called the reports 'completely unacceptable,' and said her office has asked the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to review the program's operations. 'All options are on the table,' she experts, including Dr. Kumanan Wilson, had warned the government not to create the program mid-pandemic. 'You don't want to stand these things up during an emergency,' he said.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Trudeau government under fire for failing Canadians suffering serious COVID vaccine complications
A Canadian program designed to compensate people seriously injured by COVID-19 vaccines is facing growing criticism from claimants who say they've been abandoned, ignored, and denied basic support. The largest immunization campaign in Canadian history helped curb the spread of COVID-19, saving thousands of lives and easing pressure on overcrowded emergency rooms. For the vast majority, vaccines marked the beginning of a return to normal life. But for a small group who suffered serious side effects, life has never been the same. Launched in 2021 by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau with a $50 million budget, the Vaccine Injury Support Program ( VISP ) was established to provide financial assistance to individuals who suffered permanent, serious harm after receiving a Health Canada-authorized vaccine. The program offers lump-sum payments, income replacement, and medical expense reimbursement. But an investigation reveals that VISP is falling far short of its promise. Live Events Of the $50.6 million spent to date, $33.7 million went to administration, while just $16.9 million reached injured Canadians. More than 3,000 claims have been submitted, but 1,700 are still waiting for a decision. Stories of the claimants Kayla Pollock, a former kindergarten assistant from Ontario, was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a serious spinal condition, after vaccination. She now uses a wheelchair. Pollock submitted her VISP application in July 2022. It was lost. Three years later, her case is still in 'intake.' 'It costs me more to be alive than if I were dead,' she said. Other claimants shared similar experiences. Shannon Dupont, a Manitoba social worker, suffered a stroke and Bell's palsy after vaccination. She's had nine case managers, cashed out investments, and says she's owed $180,000. Mike Becker was hospitalized with blood clots nine days after his shot. VISP denied his claim, citing missing platelet data. His appeal was mistakenly closed and ignored for nearly two years. Even those approved remain frustrated Ross Wightman, diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, received $270,000 in 2022. But he waited 20 months for income replacement, and says VISP's poor communication left him relying on 'the bank of family.' VISP was outsourced to private firm Oxaro Inc., which initially expected just 40 claims per year. Critics say the system wasn't prepared for the volume or complexity of real-world cases. Health Minister Marjorie Michel called the reports 'completely unacceptable,' and said her office has asked the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to review the program's operations. 'All options are on the table,' she said. Medical experts, including Dr. Kumanan Wilson, had warned the government not to create the program mid-pandemic. 'You don't want to stand these things up during an emergency,' he said. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Global News
02-07-2025
- Health
- Global News
Public Health Agency of Canada reviewing ‘the VISP experience,' including users' concerns
After a five-month investigation, Global News requested an interview with the Public Health Agency of Canada officials to discuss its Vaccine Injury Support Program. The federal agency declined the request, asking for written questions instead. Global News submitted an extensive letter with detailed questions about specific cases and facts. PHAC sent us the following statement: 'In June 2021, the Government of Canada established a pan-Canadian no-fault Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) in consultation with the provinces and territories. The VISP is a no-fault program that ensures that people who suffer a serious and permanent injury as a result of receiving a Health Canada-authorized vaccine administered in Canada, on or after December 8, 2020, have access to a financial support mechanism funded by the Government of Canada. Story continues below advertisement The need for a vaccine injury support program had been previously identified as a gap in Canada's immunization system and recognized as an area of importance by all levels of government. A number of countries have no-fault programs in place, including all G7 counterparts. Building on the model in place in Québec for more than 30 years, the VISP was designed to support individuals in Canada who experience a serious and permanent injury as result of receiving a Health Canada authorized vaccine. An open solicitation process took place in February 2021 to identify a third party administrator for the VISP. The solicitation was open to Canadian not-for-profit and for-profit organizations and corporations. Applicants had to demonstrate experience with: health claim adjudication injury causality assessments cost-effective delivery in administering payments managing personal information and providing program delivery at a national level in both official languages Received four proposals PHAC received four proposals in response to the solicitation process. Story continues below advertisement A six-member Review Committee comprised of experts from inside and outside the Government of Canada in the areas of privacy, compensation programs, procurement, and medicine was established to review these four proposals. After a comprehensive, transparent and ratings-based review of the submitted proposals by the Committee, Oxaro Inc. (formerly known as Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.) was unanimously identified as the successful applicant and selected as the 3rd party administrator of the VISP. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Oxaro was neither the lowest nor highest bidder in the process. The VISP is currently being administered and delivered independently by Oxaro for the pan-Canadian VISP (and by Quebec for their longstanding Vaccine Injury Compensation program), with funding from PHAC. As of December 31, 2024, a budget amount of up to $65.2 million over five years (2021-22 to 2025-26) was allocated to Oxaro for program operations and administration costs and claim payments through their Contribution Agreement. This does not represent payments made to Oxaro but rather the maximum amount available over the Contribution Agreement timeframe of five years. New program with fluctuating costs As with all Contribution Agreements, only the actual costs (for both program administration and payments to claimant) are eligible. As such, as of December 31, 2024, Oxaro's actual costs reported were $50.6 million. Story continues below advertisement (Global News reports that only $16.9 million of that $50.6 million sum went to injured Canadians.) The VISP is a new and demand-based program with fluctuating costs based on the number of applications and appeals submitted by Canadians. The cost to process and assess a claim is the same regardless of whether or not the claim is approved for financial support. All eligible claims undergo a full and robust technical and medical assessment process based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidance for causality assessment of an adverse event following immunization, regardless of the actual causality outcome and subsequent payment. This process is conducted by a team of medical experts, which includes both general practitioners and specialists, as needed. Administration costs are proportional to the number of claims received and processed. Oxaro and its team of medical experts individually assess every claim. This includes a review of all required and relevant medical documentation, as well as current medical evidence, taking into account the temporal relationship between the injury and the vaccine as well as existing population-based evidence for causality to determine if there is a probable link between the injury and the vaccine. If there is a probable link, the medical experts will also assess the severity and duration of the injury. Oxaro uses this information to determine the types and levels of financial support awarded to the individual or their survivor(s). Story continues below advertisement Support determined on case-by-case basis The amount of financial support an individual will receive will be determined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the PHAC-approved benefit categories and maximum support amounts. In addition, financial support provided by Oxaro must align with the Government of Quebec's compensation program and other public and private sector injury compensation practices. Timelines for a determination of eligibility and support depend on the nature and complexity of the claim (for example, time needed to collect medical records from provinces, territories, or medical institutions where the patient received care). The average claim takes 12 to 18 months to process, but sometimes may take longer. While PHAC set out the policy framework for the VISP, a committee of independent medical experts that follow WHO guidelines on causality assessment make decisions on individual claims. Story continues below advertisement PHAC not involved in decision making PHAC is not involved in any individual case assessments or decision making and does not have access to personal information of the applicants. Furthermore, Oxaro is wholly responsible for the hiring and paying of both the program personnel and the physician consultants that it employs. PHAC appreciates Global News' interest in the VISP and takes the concerns raised by VISP claimants and beneficiaries seriously. PHAC continuously and actively conducts analyses of the program to identify both shortfalls as well as opportunities to better support people in Canada who have experienced a serious and permanent injury after receiving a Health Canada-authorized vaccine. Working with experts PHAC is actively reviewing the VISP experience to date, including concerns raised by claimants and beneficiaries, and is working with experts to review the lessons learned and best practices from comparable international injury compensation programs. Story continues below advertisement This analysis and review will help ensure that the future program will effectively meet the needs of Canadians and is delivered in a fair, efficient and cost-effective manner.'
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
New study led by Horizon and supported by Roche Canada delivers cancer treatment in the comfort of a patient's home
MISSISSAUGA, ON , May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - For the first time in Canada , a patient has received cancer immunotherapy by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection in their home, thanks to an innovative research initiative by Horizon Health Network (Horizon), in collaboration with Roche Canada, the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program, and ResearchNB, and with support from Vitalité Health Network. The project originated with a research study led by Horizon medical oncologists Dr. Mahmoud Abdelsalam , Dr. Luisa Galvis and Dr. James Michael whereby New Brunswick patients diagnosed with certain types of lung cancer receive Health Canada-authorized subcutaneous cancer immunotherapy at home, administered by nurses from Medavie's New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program. The initiative was formally announced by the New Brunswick delegation during the annual BIO International Convention in June 2024 in San Diego, California , and the first treatment milestone occurred in New Brunswick this past March. "This trial marks a turning point in lung cancer care—bringing treatment from the hospital to patients' homes, where they are most comfortable," said Dr. Abdelsalam, who served as principal investigator of the research initiative. "We are proud to lead this Canadian-first trial from New Brunswick , showing that innovation in health care can start right here at home, improving the quality of care for New Brunswickers." The study was initially designed to bring care closer to communities. However, Dr. Abdelsalam challenged the team to go further — to "close the last mile" by delivering modern cancer therapies directly to patients' homes. Previously, patients travelled to hospital-based infusion centres for intravenous cancer treatments, often spending at least 30 to 60 minutes per visit. The new subcutaneous injection reduces treatment time to about seven minutes, offering a more convenient, less invasive option that minimizes disruptions to patients' daily life, reduces the strain on health care providers, and increases capacity in the health care system. "The reality is, if patients must leave their communities, take time off work, arrange childcare or organize transportation, it disrupts their lives significantly," said Jennifer Sheils , Horizon's Vice-President of Strategy, Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer. "They occupy IV therapy hospital chairs, require nursing and pharmacy resources and often face the challenge of travelling home while feeling unwell. These impacts extend beyond the treatment day and can affect their overall well-being and financial stability." As industry partners like Roche Canada introduce new therapies that move beyond traditional IV delivery, Horizon is leading the way in rethinking cancer care by putting patient needs first and helping to build a more efficient, responsive health care system. Key benefits of an injection (subcutaneous) formulation to the patient, compared to traditional IV formulations, can include: Reduced treatment time, helping patients to spend less time receiving their treatment. Potentially less discomfort and emotional distress during treatment. Patient-tailored care, enabling treatment both in and out of hospital, or closer to home, to best meet the patient's needs. Fewer hospital visits, if delivered outside of the hospital. "The challenges faced by healthcare systems in Canada have never been greater. Horizon Health's outstanding leadership shows that transforming this system is possible. By thinking differently about how we collaborate, we can deliver better care to patients and their families. We are very proud to partner with Horizon Health on this project, which will help ensure all patients have access to the best innovation in healthcare, when they need it - a key part of Roche's vision," said Dr. Dan Edgcumbe , Vice President of Medical and Regulatory Affairs at Roche Pharma Canada. "This experience will help us all better understand the full value of healthcare innovation to provide more accessible, flexible care options while expanding healthcare system capacity." Through this partnership, patients now have the choice to receive injections at home, reducing disruption to their daily lives and alleviating pressures on hospital resources. This innovative model empowers patients while supporting a more efficient and patient-centered health care system. This approach is also expected to improve health system operations by reducing pressure on infusion clinics, increasing treatment capacity, optimizing workflow and potentially lowering overall costs per patient. Horizon hopes health care systems across Canada will look to this example as a model for accelerating patient-centred innovation. Advancing research and adopting new approaches to care delivery will be critical to building a more sustainable health care system. Horizon is committed to fostering a culture of improving patient outcomes through research and innovation initiatives like this one. Each year, Horizon Research Services supports approximately 117 clinical trials for new treatments and solutions, along with nearly 307 investigator-led studies advancing health care knowledge and practice. Patients interested in participating in this study, referred to as Subcutaneous Treatment with Immunotherapy for Cancer Patients at Home, or STITCH-01, or another Horizon research study are encouraged to complete a research application form, available on the Horizon website . About Horizon Health Network Horizon Health Network is the largest regional health authority – and one of the largest employers – in New Brunswick , and the second-largest health authority in Atlantic Canada . Our leadership and health care providers are experts in diverse areas of health and community services and provide services to a half a million people. The organization has an annual budget of approximately $1.4 billion and has more than 14,000 employees, 1,242 physicians and 1,300 volunteers, as well as 17 foundations and 16 auxiliaries and alumnae organizations. About Roche Canada At Roche Canada, patients and science are at the heart of everything we do. Our passion for science and our commitment to relentlessly pursuing the impossible for patients have made us one of the world's leading pharmaceutical, in-vitro diagnostics, and diabetes care management companies. With our combined strength in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, we're driving healthcare forward, while ensuring we deliver meaningful benefits for patients and sustainable healthcare systems. We are committed to creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. And we're adding our expertise in new areas, such as artificial intelligence, real world data collection and analysis and collaborating with many different sectors and industries. Having the courage to reinvent ourselves and question the status quo is what patients and healthcare systems expect from Roche - and our commitment is as strong today as it was on the first day of our Canadian journey in 1931. Today, Roche Canada employs nearly 2,000 people at its offices in Mississauga, Ontario , in Laval, Quebec , and across the country from coast to coast to coast. For more information, please visit or follow Roche Canada on LinkedIn . About ResearchNB ResearchNB is the province's research and innovation enabler. With offices in Fredericton , Saint John and Moncton , it provides New Brunswick's research sector with critical leadership and support including advocacy, initial funding, connections to potential partners, and the translation of science into economic opportunities. Projects developed in partnership with ResearchNB help New Brunswickers to thrive through research that leads to new, innovative business practices and products. About New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program The New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program (EMP) delivers primary health care services to New Brunswickers of all ages in their homes and communities. EMP, known by many as the "hospital without walls", includes a team of over 850 professionals who provide quality home health care services to eligible residents when their needs can be met safely in the community. EMP operates on a client and family centered model with a focus on building and maintaining partnerships with clients and their families, physicians, agencies, departments and other service providers to best meet patient needs. SOURCE Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) For more information contact: Amy Haddlesey, Strategic Communications, Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, 647-283-3406, [email protected]
