JAMES BAY - People with cardiovascular issues living on the James Bay coast will now receive more support to stay close to home.
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto to provide patients with treatment and monitoring options without having to travel to major centres like Toronto.
“We work together to build capacity in the community,” said Lynne Innes, WAHA’s president and CEO. “Most importantly we’re partnering to bring care as close to home as possible.”
Before this agreement, patients with cardiovascular issues would have to travel to Toronto or Kitchener regularly to adjust medications and monitor their condition.
The agreement brings diagnostic treatment and specialty services to those in the WAHA region by offering remote monitoring that allows things like medication changes and intervention when needed.
“It enables people to continue living off the land, instead of having to constantly travel to and from a referral centre,” said Innes. “It’s bringing care as close to home as possible.”
Remote monitoring uses a smartwatch to track the patient’s blood pressure and other vital information.
The need for cardiac care has been growing, said Innes.
“We’ve noticed an increase in cardiac issues at a younger age,” she said.
The current partnership is planned to last for five years, but this is only the first step, said Innes.
“Our thought is to build, and use our remote cardiac care model to be applicable to other First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario and then grow it nationally,” she said.
WAHA is expanding its capacity through its redevelopment project with the construction of a new hospital, elder care lodge, visitor hostel, and staff accommodations in Moosonee and a plan with Queen’s University to expand medical education in the north.
The agreement also includes plans for a screening program with preventative measures to help community members address heart health issues. That program is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
