TELEHEALTH SPANS DISTANCES FOR COMMUNITIES IN SUN COUNTRY HEALTH REGION

Released on June 4, 2003

Patients and health providers in the communities of Sun Country Health Region will benefit from an expansion of Telehealth services announced today by Health Minister John Nilson. A new Telehealth site in Weyburn is part of an expansion that takes in Regina Qu'Appelle and four other southern regions.

The Weyburn site will improve rural patients' access to specialists in cities, and help to retain rural doctors and other health care professionals who want to stay connected to their urban colleagues. The service will also allow health professionals to have access to research and educational opportunities.

"This expansion is part of our government's Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care goal to improve the quality of health services and access to care for Saskatchewan residents, no matter where they live," Nilson said. "It is an initiative that supports our province's doctors, health providers and medical residents by providing a strong network of Telehealth services to allow them to connect with peers and participate in education sessions. Ultimately, this helps them improve their knowledge and provide better care to their patients."

The new Regina site will act as the network's southern anchor, with staff organizing many of the network's clinics and education programs for the new southern sites located in Weyburn (Sun Country RHA), Kindersley (Heartland RHA), Swift Current (Cypress RHA), Moose Jaw (Five Hills RHA), and Yorkton (Sunrise Regional Health Authority). The expansion increases the Telehealth Saskatchewan Network to 17 sites in 15 of the province's communities.

Telehealth allows patients and physicians in rural and remote areas to have consultations through an interactive video link with specialists in larger centres. The system is also used to deliver continuing education to health providers, and educational sessions for patients and community members. Regina's new Telehealth suite is already allowing medical residents training in the city to participate in regular educational sessions with their Saskatoon colleagues.

"It is extremely important that the medical residents training in Regina have the ability to participate in the rounds and learn more about the latest techniques and medical cases," Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. William Albritton said, adding that Telehealth eliminates isolation that can occur for medical residents and health providers in Saskatchewan.

Telehealth also provides tremendous clinical benefits by providing patients with specialized health care services closer to their homes.

"Residents of the Sun Country Health Region have benefited from Telehealth services since its inception," the Region's CEO Lee Spencer said. "Telehealth services are an important component of health care in rural areas. An expansion of this service will further benefit the staff and the patients of the Sun Country Health Region."

Support for the network expansion and upgrades is part of a collaborative initiative, including a provincial contribution of $1.5 million, $1 million from a Health Canada federal grant, and $200,000 from the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority.

Since the inception of the network in July of 1999, approximately 9,500 participants have attended 670 education sessions and nearly 1,000 patients have been seen during 390 specialist clinics.

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For More Information, Contact:

Vanessa Gooliaff Beaupre Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083