Baby playing with nurse's lanyard

Giving back

Keeping patients connected with virtual care at BC Children’s Hospital

Jul 15, 2020

BC Children’s Hospital, which provides specialized health care to kids and their families across British Columbia and the Yukon, needed to continue providing critical care for patients within a COVID-19 environment which meant expanding ways to support their patients virtually. If any child was in need of an appointment, diagnosis, lab results, follow up clinic visits regarding on-going treatment, or information about their condition, they likely would have had to travel to the hospital from their communities across British Columbia, potentially putting families and children with complex medical conditions at greater risk. In order to alleviate the strain of travel and maintain social distancing, BC Children’s needed support to provide remote care for their patients. 

Through a $100,000 TELUS Friendly Future Foundation grant, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation was able to support the hospital in order to improve and expand their Virtual Health Technology program, keeping patients connected to their doctors from the safety of their own homes. With the purchase of headsets, speakers and video cameras for remote visits, 1200 staff will now be able to provide virtual care to children who are most at risk, such as those with compromised immune systems. 

The hospital is a leader in making meaningful improvements in the lives of patients and their families and is the only hospital dedicated exclusively to children in British Columbia. Now with virtual care, they are ensuring they can create a hospital experience that prioritizes the health and safety of patients, their families, and their health care providers.

“With virtual technology, we will be able to continue to provide essential care to children while protecting their health through social distancing. I can envision a future where our healthcare system will be forever changed - in ways that benefit more families from all corners of the province”  says Dr. Jana Davidson, Chief Medical Officer, BC Children’s and BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. 

The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is proud to support BC Children's Hospital Foundation and their Virtual Health Technology program, ensuring the most vulnerable among us can stay safe and healthy in the comfort of their own homes.