Happy Birthday to Northern Health Connections

Sunday, August 12, 2007 03:44 AM

It has now been a year since Northern Health Connections was launched.

Since first being phased in last summer, more than 4,500 people have taken advantage of the service which linked them to specialized health services that are not available in their home communities.

The second year of operations will start with a new marketing effort to encourage Northern BC residents to choose NH Connections when they need to travel for specialized health services that they can’t receive locally. NH is also working on a number of enhancements to the program including increased service from points across the North to Vancouver. Work is now taking place to finalize the revised schedule for the program.

The service is open to anyone in Northern BC who needs to travel to an out-of-town medical appointment, regardless of their age or income.

There are 15 routes connecting communities across Northern B.C. with Vancouver, the Northeast is linked with services in Grande Prairie Alberta, and the Robson Valley connects with services in Kamloops.

NH Connections offers 15 routes connecting communities across Northern British Columbia, along with service to Vancouver. The province’s Northeast is linked to service in Grande Prairie Alberta, while the Robson Valley enjoys a weekly route to Kamloops.

Fares range from $20 to $80 return, depending on the length of travel. Passengers seem to like it, they have given the service a better than 90% satisfaction rating.

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Posted on Sunday, August 12, 2007 03:44 AM in Health by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: camoose on August 12 2007 11:46 AM

Not a new idea. I'm told that the Shriners in BC have been running this type of system for a number of years to get patients to their childrens hospitals. Apparently their system is totally supported by the Shrine and not subsidized by the provincial government. At any rate the Northern Health run version should not in any way replace the need for cancer care in Northern BC.

Posted by: Norm1 on August 12 2007 1:11 PM

I recently had the opportunity to try out this service for a medical appointment, scheduled in Vancouver, for a service not available in Prince George.

I was very pleased with the twice weekly to/from service provided. It goes to 3X weekly return in the fall.
The service was direct and convenient as well economical for a patient at $40.00 return as opposed to airfare at a minimum of $300 including taxes (if you lucked out on a good fare) or $130.00 or more for fuel and driving stress if one drove.

A great service from Northwern Health for residents of the Northern Health area.

Posted by: Norm1 on August 12 2007 1:13 PM

I recently had the opportunity to try out this service for a medical appointment, scheduled in Vancouver, for a service not available in Prince George.

I was very pleased with the twice weekly to/from service provided. It goes to 3X weekly return in the fall.
The service was direct and convenient as well economical for a patient at $40.00 return as opposed to airfare at a minimum of $300 including taxes (if you lucked out on a good fare) or $130.00 or more for fuel and driving stress if one drove.

A great service from Northern Health for residents of the Northern Health area.

Posted by: Chester on August 12 2007 4:12 PM

I am pleased that this service is being offered. Makes it much more affordable to travel to points south for Medical Attention that is not able to be met in PG or neighboring communities.

A marketing plan to make it more well known would better utilize the bus and drivers that are going anyway. Always good to notice and praise the good things that are happening. It doesn't seem to happen often enough. Chester

Posted by: Norm1 on August 12 2007 7:19 PM

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A note for camoose:

This Northern Connections service is not a cancer treatment service replacement.
______________________________________

This service is for any patient with a doctor referral appointment to a location,such as Vancouver, for appointments/treatment for a procedure not available in the home community.

One traveller I spoke to travels every 3 months for treatment in Vancouver; one was in transit for a retinal replacement and would return home in 9 days; 2 others were returning home after extended hospitaliztion in another community. I had, what turned out to be a one time visit for a specialist appointment. Two travellers began their journey in Burns Lake.

A companion is allowed to travel with the "patient" for a second fare of the same value.
Travellers must be medically sound...as in ---no medical attendants travel on the bus.
Further information is found on the Northern Connections web page at:
http://www.northernhealth.ca/Your_Health/Programs/NH_Connections/default.asp

Posted by: Druidia on August 13 2007 12:20 PM

Northern Health Connections also transport medical equipment, loaned out through the Canadian Red Cross, to towns where the C Red Cross does not have equipment loan depots or where the loan depot does not stock the equipment needed by the client/patient.