TeleHealth Network Now Link All Facilities Provincewide
The Nova Scotia TeleHealth Network is now completely installed, linking all 41 health care facilities across the province.
"Nova Scotians want an efficient, modern, forward-looking system of health care that will benefit everyone in the province," said Premier Russell MacLellan. "The TeleHealth Network is an excellent example of government's commitment to invest in the tools that will enable us to manage our health care system more effectively, now and in the future."
The TeleHealth Network uses telecommunications to transmit medical data, video images and audio between doctors and other health care workers at two or more locations. The state-of-the-art network also allows doctors and other health care workers to consult face to face while working in different communities. Nurses, doctors and others can use the network to participate in continuing education sessions without having to leave their communities.
"Providing greater access to specialists and resources in areas outside of urban communities is one of the network's major achievements," said Health Minister Jim Smith. "Nova Scotians living in rural parts of the province will now be able to get the expert care they need while staying closer to home near family and friends."
The minister also noted that by supporting doctors in rural Nova Scotia, the network will have a positive impact on physician recruitment and retention.
The Nova Scotia TeleHealth Network was announced by Premier MacLellan in September 1997. By March 1998, 14 health care facilities in the eastern health region were connected with the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, the IWK Grace and Dalhousie Medical School, and since then, more than 210 patients in the eastern region have been seen by specialists over the network. There were also more than 8,700 X-ray cases transmitted during the same period.
As of March 31, 1999, health care facilities throughout the rest of the province were connected to the network. Staff in the western, northern and central health regions are now being trained to use the technology.
"Improved access to the continuing medical education sessions will be extremely useful and will help to enhance patient care," said Dr. Mike Silver from St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish. "The network will also improve access to radiology services, which will make a big difference for the better for physicians and patients in rural areas."
The 1999-2000 budget for the Department of Health includes $2.5 million for operating the TeleHealth Network this year.
Total cost for the high-tech network is close to $8 million. The Department of Health put forward $2.6 million in funding while the remaining $5.3 million was provided through the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism.
In addition to the agreement partners, the Department of Health is working in partnership with TecKnowledge Healthcare Systems Inc., MTT and Dalhousie Medical School on the telehealth initiative.
"The global telehealth industry is growing at a rate of 200 per cent," said Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, representing Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "Exporting this first-of-its-kind network will position Nova Scotia to become a global leader in technology. This will have a tremendous impact on economic benefits for Nova Scotians."