The North East Local Health Integration Network (North East LHIN) is hosting a virtual coffee break on chronic disease management and prevention from 10-10:30 a.m. Oct. 1.

The teleconference will feature Marian Walsh, Bridgepoint Health CEO, and the keynote speaker for the North East LHIN's Chronic Disease Management and Prevention Forum Oct. 12.

Discussion will be centred on improving patient access to services for people suffering from chronic disease.

Chronic disease is more prevalent in northeastern Ontario than other parts of the province and the North East LHIN is proactively working to encourage collaboration among health care providers, a press release said.

Anyone can listen in to the coffee break. Questions can be submitted in advance to engagingewithyou@lhins.on.ca.

The call-in number is 1-866-696-5894, with the passcode 4630157.

The session will be taped and available on the North East LHIN's website, www.nelhin.on.ca, as a podcast within 24 hours.

A Francophone virtual coffee Break on chronic disease will be held later this month.