KELSEY TRAIL HEALTH REGION OPENS NEW TELEHEALTH SITES

Released on March 3, 2006

Residents of Kelsey Trail Health Region now have easier access to specialized health services, with the opening of two new Telehealth Saskatchewan sites.

Melfort and Tisdale are operating the sites, which use videoconferencing equipment to connect patients with medical specialists over long distances.

Health Minister Len Taylor said the initiative supports the government's goal of providing high quality health services to all residents, no matter where they live.

"People who need to consult a specialist should not face economic or geographical barriers that prevent them from receiving those services," Taylor said. "Telehealth not only helps patients connect with specialists, but supports health providers with continuing medical education, and helps rural professionals and medical residents keep in touch with their urban colleagues."

"We welcome the addition of two new Telehealth sites at Melfort and Tisdale to augment our existing site at Nipawin," Kelsey Trail Regional Health Authority Chairperson Carol Hayward said. "The expansion will provide great benefits for our clients and staff, reducing travel time and expenses."

Kelsey Trail's two new sites are among eight locations recently opened across the province. The others are in Humboldt, Estevan, Melville, Lloydminster, Regina and Saskatoon.

The provincial Telehealth network now includes 26 sites, one in every provincial, regional, district and northern hospital. The newest sites were financed out of the $66 million Saskatchewan received as a result of the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Peggy Ratcliffe Kelsey Trail Health Region Tisdale Phone: (306) 873-8288

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083