April 30, 2003

CHURCHILL--Premier Gary Doer unveiled a new ultrasound here today and officially announced $650,000 in funding to improve patient access to the region’s Manitoba TeleHealth link.

"Our government is committed to providing Manitobans with timely access to health care regardless of where they live," said the premier. "By investing in diagnostic equipment and offering technological innovations, patients in the North can be provided more services in their home communities, reducing travel time and avoiding dislocation from their families."

The ultrasound, provided at a cost of $176,350, is part of the province’s plan to invest in the fundamentals of health care. These fundamentals include:

• investing in medical equipment as well as redeveloping and building hospitals, personal care homes and other health facilities;
• training, recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses and other health professionals to practice in Manitoba’s cities as well as rural and northern Manitoba; and
• fostering innovation in health care.

The premier also tested a Manitoba Telehealth link to Nunavut and announced funding from Phase Two of the federal Primary Health Care Transition Fund to improve and expand the suite used to house the cutting-edge equipment.

The equipment is currently housed in a temporary location.

"This funding will allow us to develop space that is more comfortable for patients and staff and will allow them to make better use of this technology," said Brenda Langevin, chief executive officer of the Churchill Regional Health Authority.

The Telehealth link, first installed in March 2002, provides health professionals in the Churchill Regional Health Authority access to their counterparts in Winnipeg.

"Technology provides northern residents access to health services they never had before," said Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson, who attended the announcement on behalf of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin. "This investment builds on our Northern Development Strategy, which highlights improved health services as a priority along with housing, transportation, housing and economic development."

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