Electric Puppets helps IWK Childrens Hospital and Nova scotia libraries support quarantined folks in Nova scotia continue to access critical services and technology
Halifax— June 12, 2020 — The COVID-19 pandemic has placed members of our community off work and out of school as they are self-isolate at home. Electric Puppets is working with the IWK Children’s hospital to find ways to increase access to services for Nova Scotians while at home, including medical assessments, ability to participate in research, and access to technology that can be used for education and opportunities to explore virtually. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be working to specifically address vision testing and assessment for existing and new patients at the IWK throughout the province and will be working on getting equipment to them so they can continue to be assessed while at home. As the program expands to wider patient groups, Electric Puppets is exploring ways to leverage community resources, and it’s hoped that an emerging relationship with the Nova Scotia Provincial Library could lead to community support from public libraries to provide high speed internet service, manage equipment loans, and assist community members as they access services.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IWK Eye Clinic will be developing a remote vision assessment protocol to ensure on-going care and interaction with patients and families. We are interested to include Electric Puppets in this endeavor and modify the Evrisia project in order to achieve this goal.”
Darren Oystreck
PhD, OC(C), COMT
Chair, Clinical Vision Science Program, Dalhousie University Professional Practice Chief – Orthoptics, Eye clinic, IWK Health Centre
Darren.oystreck@dal.ca
“I want to take this opportunity to put my full support behind the efforts of our partner, Electric Puppets, to help us develop more accessible eye and vision care to patients. This will mean easier assessment for distant patients, and also the ability to maintain critical interactions when direct contact with caregivers is curtailed; the current COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on the health care system being a case in point.”
G. Robert LaRoche
MD, FRCSC, Chief, Pediatric Ophthalmology – IWK Health Centre Professor in Ophthalmology, Fellowship Director Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University
glaroche@dal.ca
“The Nova Scotia Provincial Library is pleased to support this innovative project by facilitating connections with Nova Scotia’s public libraries. During this challenging time, we see the potential for public libraries to aid Electric Puppets’ work by offering access to their WiFi networks. As libraries begin to reopen, we look forward to working with Electric Puppets and our regional library stakeholders to explore other ways to support the project.”
Lynn Somers
Director, Nova Scotia Provincial Library
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For more information, press only:
Kelli Woo Shue, Manager, Client Services
Nova Scotia Provincial Library
902-424-4852
Ryan Cameron
CEO, Electric Puppets
(902) 221-8924
Jonathan Gallant
President, Electric Puppets
(902) 476-5929
For more information on Product: