Cardiac Services BC rep, Justin LoChang, Cardiologist Dr. Colleen Hennessy, NH VP Clinical Programs Suzanne Johnston, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, and NH Regional Coordinator for Cardiac Services Barb Hennessy cut ribbon on NORTH clinic

Prince George, BC – Saying she could think of no better way to celebrate Heart Month, Prince George-Valemount MLA, Shirley Bond, was one of many on-hand to celebrate a new program aimed at improving access to cardiac specialists in the north.

The NORTH clinic – the Network of Rural To Tertiary Healthcare – will allow patients to see a cardiac specialist either face-to-face, or by video-conference, from communities across the region.  "What’s happening here today is something I know will make a difference and I can speak to that very personally," says Bond, who’s husband, Bill, successfully underwent open heart surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver over Christmas and now requires follow-up care at the clinic.

Bond says similar to the cancer control strategy, the goal of NORTH is to create more healthcare opportunities for people closer to their homes.  The hub of the new heart function clinic is in Prince George, but regional clinics have been set up in Prince Rupert, Terrace, and Kitimat.  And a fourth clinic in Valemount is in the early stage of joining the network.  The annual operating cost is estimated at $300-thousand dollars and is supported by Cardiac Services BC’s ‘Heart Failure Network’.  In addition to direct access to specialists, the heart function clinics are aimed at improving cardiac patients’ quality of life through self-care education and symptom management, following the model of other chronic disease clinics.

"The ability to participate ‘virtually’ in education and information sessions is a great benefit to residents of our large northern region," says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA, Pat Bell.  "The clinics could also help cut down on patients’ need to travel to access these resources."

Northern Health’s Heart Function Medical Lead, Dr. Colleen Hennessy (far right) says NORTH uses advances in technology – video-consultation, an electronic medical record system, and equipment like an electronic stethoscope – to overcome the challenge of providing service to residents across the health authority’s vast geographic area. 

The electronic charting system allows all the healthcare providers involved in the patient’s care access to the same information. (click on photo at right for explanation)  The MOIS program, as its called, was designed and developed by Prince George Dr. Bill Clifford.

NH’s Vice President of Clinical Programs, Suzanne Johnston, says, healthcare professionals in this region epitomize the values of collaboration and innovation and this network is another example.

Dr. Hennessy says the network will be expanded.  "It’s very exciting to see the program reach this point and we look forward to seeing the additional communities join, so that all patients in Northern Health with heart failure can benefit from the program."