Success Stories

Telehealth uses videoconferencing technology to facilitate access to care in circumstances where face-to-face consultations are not available or are difficult to access due to distance or other barriers.  Up until 2007, Eskasoni was the only First Nation community in Nova Scotia that had telehealth.  Between 2006-2008, the Tui’kn Partnership expanded telehealth to all 5 First Nations in Unama’ki.  Today, patients in Unama’ki use telehealth to receive a variety of clinical services that would normally require travel. This means less time on the road travelling to appointments and more time on the road to healing. Telehealth is also used regularly by staff at the health centres to take part in meetings and to participate in professional development opportunities.   Funding to expand telehealth to all 5 communities was provided by Canada Health Infoway and Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.