Advancing Medical Innovation in Northern Ontario
Press Release
Province Harnessing Health Care Technology to Better Serve Northern Communities
June 23, 2017 9:30 A.M.
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Ontario is improving patient care with new technology that provides better access to electronic health records for hospitals, researchers and clinicians across Northern Ontario.
The province is supporting research by the Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI) that will help the government build a cloud-based information sharing platform to improve access to patient records and enhance the delivery of health care services and products across the North. The project, supported through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), will help to create a robust network for health research and development in the Northern region, boost development of important new medical products and generate new local business opportunities.
Researchers will collect data from residents, clinicians, entrepreneurs and community leaders in towns and communities across the North, including Indigenous communities, to ensure the new electronic health records system meets the unique needs of Northerners.
Supporting health sciences research in the North is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy, and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is investing $100,000 in this project through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). This investment is being matched by the Government of Canada.
- The Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI) was established in 2011 and is focused on contributing to sustainable solutions for health challenges faced by Ontario’s Northern and Indigenous communities.
- Since 2013, the NOHFC has invested more than $488 million in 3,165 projects, helping to create or sustain more than 10,895 jobs across Northern Ontario.
- In the Sudbury region, the NOHFC has invested $90 million in 536 projects, creating or sustaining more than 1,370 jobs, since 2013.
Additional Resources
Quotes
“The Health Sciences North Research Institute continues to work to help improve the quality of health care for residents across Northern Ontario. Our investment in this study will help the Institute identify how a new technology platform could better serve researchers, health care providers, organizations and patients in our region.”
Glenn Thibeault
MPP for Sudbury
Bill Mauro
Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC
“Northerners and Indigenous peoples face unique health challenges given the vast expanse of the region and issues with access to health care services and providers. We thank the province for investing in this project, which will help us develop a new technology platform that will foster better collaboration between health researchers, clinicians and other partners.”
Dr. Denis Roy
President & CEO, Health Sciences North Research Institute
Media Contacts
Jeff Dean
Minister’s Office
416 327-1421
Cameron Ferguson
Communications Branch
cameron.ferguson@ontario.ca
416 314-6275
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