Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 03/01) - A year behind schedule, tele-health has made its debut at the Fort Simpson Health Centre.

Despite a delay due to licensing issues with the technology, the system became functional two weeks ago.

It will allow patients in Fort Simpson to be diagnosed by specialists in Yellowknife or Edmonton via the airwaves.

A camera and other diagnostic equipment will transmit images through satellite feeds.

Skin conditions, ear nose and throat ailments and internal maladies diagnosed by X-ray or ultrasound will all fall within the realm of tele-health, according to Ian Jamieson, Fort Simpson tele-health co-ordinator.

Last year there was talk of introducing the technology in Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte, but there has since been some question of whether the communications infrastructure in those communities would accommodate the system, according to Kathy Tsetso, CEO of Deh Cho Health and Social Services.

However, Ian Jamieson, said the goal still is, ultimately, to implement the system in the smaller Deh Cho communities.

"It would certainly be more functional to have it in communities that don't have the level of service we have here ... it would very quickly pay for itself," Jamieson said, referring to the expected reduction in medevacs with the expansion of tele-health.

The equipment in Fort Simpson will be used increasingly in the weeks and months to come as training takes place and scheduling with distant specialists is arranged, Tsetso said.

Initial expenditures for the equipment have been absorbed by the territorial and federal governments.

The regional health board will likely have to foot the bill for ongoing costs, Tsetso said. She admitted that she isn't yet aware of how much the expenditures will be.

The system has many other practical applications such as permitting family members in Fort Simpson to see and talk to relatives receiving care in Yellowknife.

Tele-health has already been used by local health staff for real-time video conferencing with doctors in Yellowknife.

Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik also have tele-health equipment in place.

"It's the future," Tsetso said.