Atlantic Provinces and Canada Health Infoway Collaborate to Improve Access to Health Care and Drive Economic Growth through Digital Health

Canada’s federal Minister of Health, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor announced ACCESS Atlantic, a bold initiative that will make it quicker and easier to access health services in Atlantic Canada.

ACCESS Atlantic is a collaboration between New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by Health Canada.

The initiative will implement technology infrastructure across the region to improve access to digital health services and transform the way health care is delivered. This will help patients and their families to:

• View their health information online, allowing them to better manage their health
• Access digital health tools and e-services that will make it more convenient for them to access and receive care (e.g., book appointments online, manage chronic conditions from home, secure message with their doctor)
• Gain the peace of mind of knowing their prescriptions will be transmitted electronically to their pharmacy, through PrescribeIT^TM, Canada's e-prescribing service, which will reduce the risk of medication errors
• Receive care sooner, thanks to streamlined e-referral processes and the availability of other online services, such as mental health support programs

In addition to improving the health of Atlantic Canadians, ACCESS Atlantic will drive economic development in the region. Infoway plans to invest up to $70 million to deploy and scale solutions in Atlantic Canada and leverage the talent and innovation that currently exists throughout the region.

Read the ACCESS Atlantic media release.