City Partners with Community Care Providers on Patient Virtual Care

The City of Greater Sudbury has partnered with various community organizations for a project that aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community, by making it easier for community care providers to provide patient care virtually.

“One of the barriers to effective virtual care is a patient’s ability to access digital tools,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “This support will allow the City and community partners to deliver high quality virtual care, and ensure all residents’ healthcare needs are met during the pandemic, and into the future.”

Beginning with two Greater Sudbury Housing Corporation apartment buildings, the City will engage with residents to better understand how they could use virtual services and programs, identify which programs and services are most important to them, and understand their digital learning needs. Their input will then be used to create a virtual hub for health, social and recreational services in a safe, private space.

In addition, mobile tablets with data plans will be loaned to residents in these buildings, so they are able to connect to services from their residence. Volunteers will also provide digital literacy training to residents. For people experiencing homelessness, mobile devices will be used to provide care where the client is. The project will also leverage the Community Paramedicine Program, which already provides wellness checks in these buildings, to follow-up with residents on progress with health goals and care plans.

This initiative received COVID-19 provincial funding to enhance the pandemic response through appropriate virtual care options, which are key in ensuring continuity of health services while preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The project will be evaluated in the spring to assess the potential to expand these services throughout the city. For more information, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/COVID.