Yellowknife (Sep 22/04) - While politicians huddled in Ottawa to talk money, health care providers met in Yellowknife to come up with ideas to actually improve services.

After two separate sessions here, one common desire came forward: to create an electronic records database that is accessible to all health care workers.

The workshops were held Monday and Tuesday, part of a national effort by a dozen health groups to strengthen primary care. Those taking part in the project range from physicians to pharmacists to social workers.

Ottawa physician Dr. Glen Roberts met with about 25 providers Monday and 15 patients on Tuesday.

"Everyone agrees that once people are in the system they get good care," said Roberts.

It's getting into care that's the concern.

One way to do that, said Roberts, is to improve communication between the various disciplines.

"There's not one gatekeeper; there are multiple windows into the system."

By having one record-keeping system, all providers could share information and get people into care more easily, said Roberts.

"It's still a frustration that for every provider you go to, you have to give your medical history."

He acknowledged privacy concerns, and said patient permission would have to be granted before information was shared.

Money is needed to put such a system in place.

"Canada spends 1.8 per cent of its health budget on information communication technology," said Roberts. "Switzerland spends four to five per cent."

Roberts will return to Yellowknife in November for follow-up meetings.

He expects to release his report in May 2005.