Skip to content

ONTERA changing the landscape of healthcare

Tim Saucier, who survived a stroke 4 years ago, listens to Ted Hargreaves, Chair of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission talk about the innovative health care network.

Tim Saucier, who survived a stroke 4 years ago, listens to Ted Hargreaves, Chair of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission talk about the innovative health care network. Saucier directly benefited from telemedicine technology during his stroke, as it allowed doctors in North Bay to consult with a neurologist in Toronto. Saucier says he shudders to think where he would be today if the doctors had not had the technology.

Changes to how Northern Ontario residents benefit from healthcare took a major leap forward Thursday with the announcement that of Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA), Hydro One Telecom and Ontera have joined together to implement an innovative health care network.

SSHA announced that they are introducing a high-tech network to provide technology enabled healthcare services in order for health care institutions and professionals across Ontario to share patient information securely and reliably.

Michael Lauber, Chair, SSHA Board of Directors, said is already showing great success in the pilot locations.

“The increased network capacity allows patients to have their x-rays and other diagnostic images viewed by radiologists in one hour rather than two days.”

“Images can now be sent electronically to specialists instead of being couriered.”

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith, says the creation of the network is a significant milestone in the growth of Ontera as well as another step forward in the McGuinty government’s commitment to improve healthcare throughout Ontario.

The collaboration will connect the local health integration network (LHIN) 13.

Referencing the line (where you live shouldn’t matter whether you live or die) by U2, David Hurst of Hydro One said the project has made a small world even smaller.

“It means a family in Northern Ontario doesn’t have to uproot their sick child for treatment.”

“They can stay at home and get the diagnosis and how to treat it right there,” he says.

“And I couldn’t even guess the number of jobs it will stimulate.”

Ted Hargreaves, Chair of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission says the partnership demonstrates the commissions’ commitment to contributing to the economic prosperity and development of northern Ontario.

“It means that there will be $5-million corporate investment and that job security is enhanced,” he says.

“It also means geographically that there will be medical coverage in Ontario border to border.”

“It means that medical files can be sent in real time and keep there integrity for a diagnosis to be made … it just doesn’t get any better,” he adds.