SUDBURY -- Health Science North (HSN) in Sudbury has launched virtual emergency room services for patients with non-life-threatening conditions, a first for hospitals in northern Ontario.
The service operates Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in both official languages.
Patients ages one and up who do not have a family doctor or are unable to access them in a timely manner can book a virtual appointment here for a same-day appointment with an emergency department (ED) physician.
A nurse will contact the patient within an hour to assess their situation and confirm a video appointment with a doctor when necessary.
"We’re so happy to be able to offer this service, especially since we saw some hesitancy for some patients to come to the ED during the first wave of COVID-19," said Dr. Rob Lepage, medical director and doctor for HSN’s emergency department. "We’ve seen our patient volumes spike in the second wave with a lot of overcrowding, so this should help our space issues and maintain physical distancing in the department if there’s a sudden surge of patients."
The new service will be able to see up to 32 patients a day. Any additional patients will be directed to in-person services at the hospital.
To access the service, patients will need secure internet access and a working computer or smartphone.. But some who live in remote areas will not have access to the new service due to poor Internet connection or not having a smartphone or computer.
“I’m Nickel Belt," said NDP health critic France Gèlinas. "There’s about 40,000 of us who have iffy connection. So is it for everyone? No ... But one of the upsides of the pandemic is that people realize more and more services, including healthcare, can be accessed online.”
Ontario's Ministry of Health has provided $250,000 to help launch this service in an effort to help improve patient care in the northeast.
"We can offer quality care in a convenient, safe and secure way, right from the comfort of the patient’s home," said Dr. Renee Anne Montpellier, one of the leads for the project who is also an emergency room doctor. "It allows for greater access to timely care for patients who have mobility issues or limited access to care due to where they live."
