Canadian Health Network
The Canadian Health Network (CHN), formerly the National Population Health Clearinghouse, has approached Epilepsy Ontario to link our world wide web site to their new web site. This will be a Canadian "central clearing house" of health information.
The federal government is developing a Canadian health information system to facilitate improved access to health information. CHN is currently in the developmental stages. After national consultations with consumers and health intermediaries across the country, Health Canada is moving towards the creation of a pilot system that will include World Wide Web, call centre, fax and voice messaging components.
One of the goals of this project is to enhance the already existing network of health information providers, not duplicate existing services. The information contained within the framework of CHN will draw from federal, provincial and territorial governments, non-government organizations, universities, community-based and private sector organizations. Health Canada also wants to identify gaps in health information services and explore how this initiative can address those needs over the long term.
While Health Canada is taking a leadership role in establishing CHN initially, the ultimate goal is to have an integrated health information service, external to government, that is jointly managed and sustained by many partners.
The work of CHN is guided by a Consultation Group (and its working groups) with representatives of health information providers from across Canada. It is equally influenced by broader consultations which have played a role in each developmental stage.
Visit CHN's "prototype" site at http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/.
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