SASKATOON HEALTH REGION TO OPEN NEW TELEHEALTH SITES

Patients across the province will have even greater access to specialized medical services. Saskatchewan's Telehealth network is expanding into new sites in Humboldt, Saskatoon City Hospital, and six other locations, using health funding committed at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

The other locations approved by Saskatchewan Health are Regina (Pasqua Hospital), Melfort, Tisdale, Estevan, Melville and Lloydminster. 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."

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

"We are very pleased with this expansion of Telehealth in our Health Region," Saskatoon Health Region Interim CEO Jean Morrison said. "The technology at the new sites located at Saskatoon City Hospital's 'state of the art' Rependa Memorial Education Resource Centre and in Humboldt allows us to share our medical expertise with colleagues and clients throughout the province."

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

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, among others.

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

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For More Information, Contact:

Leanne Nyirfa Saskatoon Health Region Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386