Diabetes Policy Review - Report of the Expert Panel

Background

About the diabetes policy review expert panel

In October 2006, the Minister of Health announced that a Diabetes Policy Review would be initiated. On October 24, 2007, the Minister of Health further announced the establishment of a Diabetes Policy Review Expert Panel with a mandate to undertake the proposed review and the appointment of the Honourable A. Brian Peckford, former premier of Newfoundland, as Chair of the Panel.

The purpose of the Policy Review is to assess the effectiveness of the renewed Canadian Diabetes Strategy in achieving the goals and priorities established by stakeholders through the consultations that occurred during the original Strategy (1999-2005) and make recommendations to the Minister of Health on the value returned for the annual $18 million federal investment ($90 million committed over 5 years) in an independent report to the Minister.

In addition to Mr. Peckford, the Expert Panel consists of:

• Mr. Robert Hindle, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation;
• Mr. Serge Langlois, Diabète Québec;
• Dr. John Millar, provincial/territorial government representative; and
• Dr. Karen Philp, Canadian Diabetes Association.

Mandate and scope of the policy review

According to the Expert Panel's Terms of Reference, the mandate of the Policy Review was to examine the existing priorities, processes and governance mechanisms of the renewed Canadian Diabetes Strategy and determine their effectiveness in achieving the government's objectives of transparency, performance and accountability.

• Priorities:
  • Review the progress in achieving the priorities identified in the Canadian Diabetes Strategy developed by stakeholders between 1999 and 2005.
  • Review the value and appropriateness of the funding invested in the renewed Canadian Diabetes Strategy since 2005.
  • Identify the priorities necessary for an effective Canadian Diabetes Strategy through consultation with key stakeholders in the diabetes community.
  • Identify any government instruments that could be used to achieve the outcomes identified in the Canadian Diabetes Strategy.
• Processes:
  • Assess the governance of the program (i.e., what structures and processes are in place to ensure transparency and accountability) and make recommendations for improvement if necessary.
  • Determine the best model for managing the Canadian Diabetes Strategy, which should include setting priorities and communicating with stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
• Performance:
  • Identify the outcomes expected from the program (existing logic model).
  • Assess progress made on achieving outcomes.
  • Recommend ways to improve program outcomes.
  • Identify any potential changes or amendments to the Canadian Diabetes Strategy that would maximize the federal government investments for improving health outcomes for Canadians living with diabetes within the context of existing federal jurisdictions.

As stipulated in the Terms of Reference, the Policy Review was not intended to evaluate the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative nor diabetes research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The Review was also not intended to evaluate the primary prevention activities within the Healthy Living and Chronic Disease initiative.