Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem was in Moncton today to participate in a $12 million announcement by Health Canada to fund a proposal by the four Atlantic provinces to improve access to health services using new information and communications technologies.
The funding is provided through the Canada Health Infostructure Partnerships Program (CHIPP), announced in June 2000.
Minister Ballem advised that the Prince Edward Island Health and Social Services System will receive funding of $3 million through the proposal. "We are very pleased that our Atlantic project has received the highest single amount of funding," said Minister Ballem. "By working cooperatively as an Atlantic Region, we have been able to secure adequate funding for our project. Now we look forward to sharing information and best practices within and between provinces as new technologies are implemented."
The federal funds will make an important contribution to a provincial information technology initiative to automate services in three areas, at a total cost to the province of $11 million. A common client registry will be established to store demographic information on patients and clients in one central database that can be accessed by authorized health professionals. A new case management system will make current, accurate information on a patient or client's care available to all members of the care team, beginning in Home Care. Finally, a provincial teleradiology system will be established to facilitate the digital transfer of X-rays and other diagnostic images between Island hospitals and other Atlantic health centres. "Along with several partners, we are now in the final stages of planning to implement these major new applications within our provincial health system," said the minister.
"Prince Edward Island has taken a lead role in the development of our provincial health information system," advised Minister Ballem. "We are very optimistic about the benefits information technology will have for patients, clients, and service providers, and we are most appreciative of the generous assistance of Health Canada in helping us to progress in this important area."