- Centres of Excellence and EPCN Expected to Enhance Utilization of Surgical and Medical Centre Infrastructure -

TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Centric Health Corporation ("Centric Health" or "the Company") (TSX: CHH), today announced that it has established two specialized Centres of Excellence (COEs) and launched its Extended Patient Choice Network (EPCN), all of which are intended to increase capacity utilization, with limited capital investment, of the Company's existing surgical and medical centre infrastructure by offering patients a choice in access to leading-edge healthcare services and technology.

"Each of these initiatives is demonstrative of Centric Health's commitment to innovative healthcare solutions in partnership with Canada's leading healthcare providers to offer patients the highest quality care with opportunities for early diagnosis and intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes," said David Cutler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Centric Health Corporation.  "The two COEs and the EPCN represent meaningful progress under our strategy to maximize the utilization of our national surgical network.  Our recently announced alliance with the prestigious Vancouver Imaging will allow us to establish other super specialized Centres of Excellence.

Centres of Excellence (COEs)

Centric Health has established the Canadian Nasal and Sinus Institute (CNSI) and Women's Urology Centres of Excellence (COEs) at its False Creek Healthcare Centre in Vancouver (FCHC) in two niche areas where there is growing demand driven by both demographics and significant wait times.  The Company is working on additional COEs in response to patients needs and healthcare professionals aspirations to partner credible healthcare service providers in meeting the growing demand for quality, affordable and convenient healthcare services.

Canadian Nasal and Sinus Institute (CNSI)

The Canadian Nasal and Sinus Institute (CNSI) has been established in partnership with Dr. Amin Javer (www.drjaver.com), a highly respected and world renowned sinus expert with significant experience as a surgeon, Otolaryngologist and global speaker. The first centre, at FCHC, will address the significant demand with his waiting lists being approximately two years for consultation and four years for surgery.

The Centres will offer the latest high tech endoscopy screening and sinus surgery, some of which is not available in the public sector. With the provision of services through CNSI, patients can be seen earlier by a highly-qualified team and undergo a comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment.  Early diagnosis and the establishment of an appropriate treatment plan and clinical protocols will improve outcomes for patients.

"Our goal is to establish Canada's premier nasal and sinus centres of excellence throughout Centric Health's existing surgical and medical centres to meet the growing demographic demand and afford patients access and choice when in need so as to improve their quality of life," said Mr. Cutler. 

Women's Urology Centre

Headed by Dr. Alexandra Perks and Dr. Stephanie Cripps, the Women's Urology Centre at FCHC is a first in providing extensive, wholistic female urology care in a unique environment for women seeking innovative treatment with new technologies in areas of urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, recurring urinary tract infections and bladder pain syndrome.  The mission of the Women's Urology Centre is to provide the best possible urological care to women across Canada.  Women who come to the Centre not only receive excellence in expedited care from the team of female urologists but also gain access to a multidisciplinary team of pelvic floor therapists, nurses trained in incontinence in order to offer non-surgical treatment alternatives.

Extended Patient Choice Network (EPCN)

Centric Health's Extended Patient Choice Network (EPCN) was established to offer patients an out-of-province solution for broader access to a variety of healthcare services via a network of leading healthcare providers across Canada with the intent of reducing wait times and providing patients with choice and early intervention.

"With Canada's surgical wait times being at the highest levels recorded in years and a growing number of Canadians travelling to the U.S. and other countries for tests or procedures, we believe we can offer a Canada-centric solution that benefits patients through affordable, high quality access on demand," said Mr. Cutler. "This initiative will create jobs and retain revenues that are being lost to other countries. It's a true win for all."

The EPCN is comprised of accredited specialists across Canada committed to high-quality patient care and outcomes. Under the program, a patient can be referred by his or her family physician or specialist to a healthcare provider of their choice within the various provinces across Canada, giving the patient a navigated, seamless solution of high quality patient care and outcomes resulting in earlier intervention, reduced complications and debilitation and better quality of life. Patients return to the referring Physician for the supervision of their post- operative care ensuring high quality outcomes.

Patients using Centric Health's EPCN will be serviced through the Company's existing Surgical Centres at Surgical and Medical Centres at Don Mills Surgical Unit (Toronto), Maples Surgical Centre (Winnipeg), False Creek Healthcare Centre (Vancouver) and Canadian Surgical Services (Calgary).

For more information, visit:  www.centrichealthepcn.ca

About Centric Health 

Centric Health's vision is to be Canada's premier healthcare company, providing innovative solutions centered on patients and healthcare professionals. As a diversified healthcare company with investments in several niche service areas, Centric Health currently has operations in medical assessments, disability and rehabilitation management, physiotherapy and surgical centres, homecare, specialty pharmacy and wellness and prevention. With knowledge and experience of healthcare delivery in international markets and extensive and trusted relationships with payers, physicians, and government agencies, Centric Health is pursuing expansion opportunities into other healthcare sectors to create value for all stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to the highest quality of care. Centric Health is listed on the TSX under the symbol CHH. For further information, please visit www.centrichealth.ca.

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.  These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding business strategy, plans and other expectations, beliefs, goals, objectives, information and statements about possible future events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by Centric Health and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits Centric Health will derive there-from.  

SOURCE: Centric Health Corporation