Video Conferencing to Link Cancer Patients with Experts

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C - Patients and communities in northern B.C. will benefit from new videoconferencing technology that will deliver greater access to cancer care professionals and oncology specialists.

TeleOncology will link patients with specialists via video and receive cancer care and education.

As part of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy, the BC Cancer Agency - an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority - and Northern Health are working jointly to complete, by 2010, the infrastructure needed to support teleoncology in 12 communities throughout the north: Dawson Creek, Hazelton, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Kitimat, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte, Quesnel, Smithers, Terrace, and Vanderhoof.

"TeleOncology developments in the North will mean less travel for Northern cancer patients," said Ronald Chapman, Executive Director, Northern Cancer Control Strategy. "While we may not be able to put a specialist in every community, through videoconferencing we will be able to connect many patients with specialists at the BC Cancer Agency's various regional cancer centres."

TeleOncology costs are included in the overall cost estimate of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy of more than $100 million. The TeleOncology component of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy includes $2.4 million in funding for mobile and stationary videoconferencing units, as well as private consultation and education rooms, in Northern Health facilities across the North. Also included is a videoconferencing bridge and related firewall devices to allow secure connections between Northern Health and mobile telehealth units at the BC Cancer Agency's regional cancer centres.

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