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Health News For South West

Thursday, May 17, 2007
South West Local Health Integration Network
E-Health moves forward

Imagine sharing patient information quickly, confidently and securely across more than 200 organizations from Tobermory to Long Point. Imagine the potential for integration, collaboration and seamless patient care.

The South West LHIN’s e-Health Steering Committee is moving forward rapidly to make this vision a reality. As part of the information and technology strategy emerging from the LHIN’s Integrated Health Service Plan, the Committee is proposing to have 80% of agencies connected to the new ONE Network and ONE Mail system within a year.

ONE Network and ONE Mail are services offered by the Government of Ontario’s Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA). SSHA was created to provide a secure, integrated, province-wide information technology infrastructure allowing instant electronic communication among Ontario’s health service providers. SSHA is working to connect doctors’ offices, hospitals, labs, public health offices, community care centres and pharmacies to improve the way personal health information is shared in Ontario.

In the South West LHIN, the ONE Mail project will offer providers high-speed Internet connection at no cost, and an information system that includes enhanced security at all levels, protection against viruses and spam, a secure network for e-mails, and a directory of other ONE Mail users.

“This is a perfect illustration of how technology can support improved patient care,” says Diane Beattie, Chief Information Officer of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, and the South West LHIN e-Health Lead. “The ONE network will connect patients and providers throughout the region, and make transitions from one part of the health system to another easier and smoother.”

Article republished with permission from the South West Local Health Integration Network Newsletter (Issue # 6)

For more information about the South West Local Health Integration Network, please visit www.southwestlhin.ca.