The Alberta government is expanding its telehealth network in order to provide Albertans living in rural and remote areas with better access to health care services.
Fourteen new projects will receive more than $2.4 million over the next year-and-a-half from the Alberta government via the Telehealth Clinical Grant Program.
“This funding expands the already diverse range of health care services that can be provided to residents in rural and remote locations,” said Dave Hancock, Alberta’s Minister of Health and Wellness, in a released statement.
Currently, Alberta has more than 500 telehealth sites in the province. The grant program will invest in projects in locations including Chinook, Calgary, Aspen and the Northern Lights health region, as well as the Alberta Mental Health Board.
Projects to be added include:
Real-time Pharmacist Verification
Pharmacists will be able to communicate face-to-face in real time with a pharmacy technician to prepare intravenous chemotherapy as part of The Alberta Cancer Board Telepharmacy Project. The procedure is one that can be used in a variety of situations when a local pharmacist is unavailable and will also allow community cancer centres to establish more advanced chemotherapy treatments.
Operational Stress Clinic Telemental Health Outreach
A pilot project that will give specialized mental health services to rural veterans, eligible members of the RCMP, members of the Canadian Forces, and their families living in southern Alberta who have limited or no access to operational stress injury treatment.
TeleWomen’s Health
High-risk perinatal, fertility and endocrinology services for remote and rural patients will be provided through the TeleWomen’s Health project. Services provided through the program will include patient consultations, education for patients, and training for rural physicians.
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