JUNOR PARTICIPATES IN DEMONSTRATION OF NORTHERN TELEHEALTH NETWORK

Associate Health Minister Judy Junor today attended a demonstration of

the new Northern Telehealth Network that will allow people in remote

parts of Saskatchewan to be seen by specialists and receive health

services without leaving their own communities.



Junor previewed the advanced computer system that will allow health

care providers to see and hear patients in remote locations.



Saskatchewan Health is funding the $1.5 million cost of equipment,

installation and training.



"Through the latest technology we are reaching out to citizens in

rural Saskatchewan and the North," Junor said. "Health care providers

will be able to see and talk to patients, see documents, read x-rays

and use tools like dermascopes, allowing them to diagnose and treat

over great distances."



Beginning this summer, this technology will serve people around Ile a

La Crosse, La Ronge, Pinehouse Lake, Beauval, North Battleford and

Meadow Lake giving them direct access from their communities to more

specialized health services.



Initially, child psychiatry, dermatology, patient education programs

and consultations using x-ray and ultrasound studies will be provided

through the network.



"The Northern Telehealth Network once fully functional will serve

an area of 360,000 people," Junor said. "The new system will

also benefit health professionals who will be able to keep their

skills up to date through continuing education programs."



The project has been developed by an Implementation Committee

including Saskatchewan Health, the Northwest, Keewatin Yathe,

Mamawetan Churchill River, Battlefords, Prince Albert and

Saskatoon Health districts, SaskTel and Computing Devices Canada.



"Implementation committee members put in many hours of work to

deliver health services in a completely new and exciting way, and

for that they deserve much credit," Junor said.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088