Announcement

Windsor Regional Hospital - Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre Opens

Windsor Regional Hospital opened the first Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre in the Province of Ontario on September 14, 2009 at 1883 Turner Road in Windsor (across from the Met Campus) with hours of operation from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday (with extended hours by appointment).

Windsor Regional Hospital was approached by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) to facilitate and manage the much needed service for patients in the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network.

It is known that attempting to lose excessive weight can be very difficult without professional help. If one is struggling with excessive weight and experiencing related health issues, they should consult their family physician about making a referral to the new Bariatric Centre.

The Windsor Regional Hospital Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre will provide medical screening and assessment services to patients referred by their physician however clients need to meet the following criteria:

• BMI (Body Mass Index) at 40kg/m2 or BMI of 35kg/m2 with significant
obesity-related co-morbidities
• Acceptable operative risk
• Failure of non-surgical weight loss programs
• Psychologically stable with realistic expectations
• A well-informed and motivated individual with a supportive family environment
• Absence of active alcohol or substance abuse and
• Absence of uncontrolled psychotic or depressive disorder

“We are pleased to provide this service to individuals in Windsor and Essex County who have been struggling and have tried everything to lose weight” stated Dr. Joseph Shaban, Medical Director of the Windsor Regional Hospital-Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre. “We believe in our new service and we believe in those who truly want to see results”.

The program will incorporate benchmarks and best practices for bariatric surgery and pre and post-operative care where available and as recommended from time to time by the Ontario Bariatric Network Advisory Board and MOHLTC.

“We were pleased to accept the request from the Ministry to establish a regional bariatric centre in this region due to the statistics related to obesity and related disorders and a need to address the issue.” said Karen Plunkett, Director, Medicine, ED, Critical Care, Medical Clinics.

Those interested in receiving assistance through the new Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre should request a referral from their family physician or specialist.