Expanding access to mental health treatment
On-site treatment is only one part of The Royal’s programs and clinics. For people in remote areas, or who have completed the in-patient portion of their treatment, telemedicine offers a simple, secure and accessible method of providing care.
The Royal uses virtual care to expand access to mental health services in underserved and remote areas by partnering with communities and organizations across Ontario. Telemedicine allows patients to access secure, real-time psychiatric care from The Royal through the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) and Zoom for healthcare.
This makes specialized mental health services available to communities that do not have access to mental health care and offers virtual care flexibility to patients across several clinics and programs at The Royal when necessary and appropriate.
We reach rural and remote communities by collaborating with local health teams, northern hospitals, correctional facilities, colleges and universities and other community agencies, many of which serve individuals who face barriers to care.
In addition to direct consultation with dedicated psychiatrists, The Royal’s regional telemedicine service offers case conferencing with local providers and ongoing education to strengthen capacity among referring partners. When needed, The Royal coordinates with community-based venues to ensure patients have access to secure technology and internet.
How it works
- Referrals are made by family physicians and nurse practitioners at partner organizations.
- Sessions are confidential and delivered on secure platforms.
- Follow-up care may take place virtually for patients in our clinical programs.
For more information about program-based telemedicine services, please contact your clinical program.
For information regarding our regional clinics, please contact Sarah Joynt at (613) 722-6521 ext. 6797.
More than 1,500 patients seen annually
Shared-care consultative model with local primary care providers
Focus on building clinical expertise in rural and underserved communities
Regional partner organizations
The Royal partners with 19 regional community organizations to increase telemedicine access to specialized mental health care and strengthen local capacity.
- Algonquin College
- University of Ottawa
- Hawkesbury General Hospital
- Counselling Services Hearst
- Kapuskasing
- Smooth Rock Falls
- RAAM Timmins
- Petawawa Family Health Team
- CMHA Champlain East
- Winchester Hospital
- and more...
