PRAIRIE NORTH HEALTH REGION TO OPEN NEW TELEHEALTH SITE

Patients in Prairie North Health Region will have even greater access to specialized medical services. Saskatchewan's Telehealth network is expanding into Lloydminster and seven other locations across the province, using health funding committed at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

The other locations approved by Saskatchewan Health are Saskatoon (City Hospital), Regina (Pasqua Hospital), Humboldt, Melfort, Tisdale, Estevan and Melville. The expansion will cost about $400,000, and will bring the total number of Telehealth sites in the province to 26.

Telehealth Saskatchewan uses videoconference links across its provincial network to connect patients with specialists, saving time and travel expenses. It is also used to deliver continuing medical education to doctors and nurses in rural and remote locations. Telehealth can also reduce the sense of isolation often felt by rural health providers or medical residents, by connecting them with their colleagues in urban centres for patient consultations.

"The expansion supports the vision first outlined in The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care to improve the quality of services and access to care for all residents, no matter where they live," Health Minister John Nilson said. "We are committed to working with our health partners to reduce the geographical barriers some residents face, and make it easier for them to access specialized services."

"Telehealth is a tremendous example of how we can bring specialized health services closer to home for people in all parts of the province," Meadow Lake MLA Maynard Sonntag said. "It is an effective use of technology, an efficient way to utilize our health professionals, and a wise investment in the health of our residents."

With the expansion, the province will achieve its goal of establishing Telehealth services in every provincial, regional, district and northern hospital.

Prairie North Health Region CEO David Fan welcomed the expansion of Telehealth Saskatchewan to Lloydminster. "It means our three major sites in Prairie North – The Battlefords, Meadow Lake, and Lloydminster are connected through this valuable tool, expanding access for patients, staff and physicians to clinical services and medical education opportunities. For Lloydminster specifically, it also means access to Telehealth on both sides of the border," Fan said. "Lloydminster is already part of the Alberta Wellnet system."

Each of the new Telehealth sites will receive $50,000 worth of videoconferencing equipment that allows clinical appointments to be completed over great distances. The new sites are expected to begin operating in late spring and early summer.

Telehealth began in 1999 as a pilot project in northern Saskatchewan. It now serves about 4,000 Saskatchewan residents and health care providers every year. Patients can book appointments for surgical follow-up, or consultations in areas such as child psychiatry, dermatology or pediatric general surgery.

To find out more about Telehealth, visit: www.health.gov.sk.ca/ps_telehealth.html

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For More Information, Contact:

Linda Lewis Prairie North Health Region North Battleford Phone: (306)446-6625