Government invests in new health technology to improve patient care

The Williams government will make investments through Budget 2005 in the latest medical technology to improve access to better diagnostic care and position Newfoundland and Labrador as a leader in emerging technology, announced Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer today.

"This is more than an investment in the latest technology � it's an investment to support our health care professionals and in the health and future of the people they care for every day all across the province," said Minister Ottenheimer. "Investing in advanced health technology is one of the best ways we can ensure people have access to the most effective and up-to-date treatment."

The funding will support the development of a provincial pharmacy network, launch Selfcare-Telecare and further implement a Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS), furthering government�s Blueprint commitment to implement a technology plan for greater access to diagnostic technology, telemedicine and electronic health records.

Pharmacy Network
Government will invest in a provincial pharmacy network to improve patient safety and care, making medication histories available on-line to attending physicians and pharmacists. It also provides the tools and processes to support prescribing, dispensing, compliance monitoring and research regarding prescription medications as recommended by the OxyContin Task Force.

Investments will support the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information�s (NLCHI) initial work in this area. In January 2005, NLCHI issued a Request for Proposals for the acquisition of a provincial pharmacy network. NLCHI continues to work closely with Canada Health Infoway (CHI), for the planning of the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Network, including the development of standards for pharmacy systems across Canada.

"Monitoring medications is a positive step towards accountability for physicians and helping prescription drug abusers," said Minister Ottenheimer. "With this system we can identify individuals with dependencies and work with physicians to rehabilitate those in need."

Phase one of the pharmacy network will connect pharmacies and attending physicians over an 18-month period. Future phases will integrate hospital pharmacy systems and introduce electronic prescribing. The province will work in partnership with Canada Health Infoway to develop the network.

Canada Health Infoway�s mission is to accelerate the development and adoption of compatible electronic health information systems. Infoway invests in Electronic Health Record initiatives and then shares the knowledge and experience gained with jurisdictions across Canada to speed implementation and reduce risk.

Picture Archiving Communications System
Government will invest $4 million in Budget 2005 to expand and enhance Picture Archiving Communications Systems (PACS) in all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador. This provides rural and remote areas greater access to radiology services and furthers government�s Blueprint commitment to provide electronic information systems for storing and managing patient records to create a seamless flow of patient care information across delivery systems.

This funding, along with anticipated investments from Canada Health Infoway, will allow health authorities in the Western and Labrador regions to install the PACS systems so the entire province will share similar diagnostic imaging technology. It will also enhance several current installations in other regions.

PACS is a computer system that allows diagnostic images to be digitally captured, viewed, stored and transmitted across the province. It replaces conventional X-ray film and greatly improves access to patient information by enabling referring clinicians to review patient images on computers anywhere in the province.

Selfcare-Telecare
To improve access to services in rural and remote communities, government will join the other Atlantic provinces and launch a Selfcare-Telecare initiative. Budget 2005�s $771,000 investment will create a toll-free health hotline for all residents to access, regardless of where they live. Health information and advice will be provided to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week by professional nursing staff and through a Web site.

This enhanced primary health care service will also benefit patients with non-emergent situations or minor symptoms needing access to services outside regular clinic hours but do not wish to burden emergency rooms.

"We are accelerating efforts on Telecare to improve access to remote and rural communities," said Minister Ottenheimer. "We believe all of our residents and health care professionals should have access to good, quality care and advice whenever they need it."

Telecare centres will be established in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Similar initiatives are already underway in several other provinces. Additional one-time capital costs will be funded by Health Canada.

The first ministers recognized that electronic health records and telehealth are vital to health sytem renewal, particularly for those living in rural and remote areas. Improving health technology through the 2004 FMM Health Accord monies is in keeping with these commitments.

Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 682-5093

2005 03 21                           3:00 p.m.