Telehealth

The NORTH Network is one of the busiest telemedicine networks in Canada. There are more than 60 telemedicine sites in northeastern and central Ontario, with referral centres in Toronto, Timmins, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. Hundreds of physicians and other health professionals use the network regularly.

Referrals for specialist consultation made to the NORTH Network are triaged by the regional coordinator in Timmins; the most northern specialist available by teleconsultation is the first line of referral.

The NORTH Network launched in March 1998. By June 2001 the Network had facilitated over 1,600 patient consultations in more than 30 different medical specialties and over 200 health education events.

Significant funding through the Canadian Health Infrastructure Partnership Program (CHIPP), the Ontario government and over 70 partner organizations has enabled the expansion of the NORTH Network; as of April 2002, 61 participating sites have been linked through a virtual private (internet) network (VPN).