News
Yorkshire project to develop telehealth consultation system
2 July 2009
The Advanced Digital Institute (ADI), the Saltaire, West
Yorkshire-based research and development organisation, is leading a £1.5
million research project to develop a leading-edge telehealth
consultation system.
The innovative new healthcare technology will revolutionise the way
patients will be able to receive advice and support by providing direct
‘live’ communication with experts from the comfort of their own
armchair. It will help doctors and carers talk with patients in their
own homes, reducing the number of patients having to travel to and from
hospitals. It will also make the service much more personalised,
convenient and timely for the patient.
The system which will be a TV-based video telephony solution, will be
developed in conjunction with a number of partners including Red
Embedded Design, a Bradford-based company that has been developing a
TV-based videophone telephony service. Other partners include BTL, also
a Bradford based technology company that is developing interactive
e-learning applications for the service.
The revolutionary system, which will initially be deployed by another
of the partners in the consortium, the Airedale NHS Trust, will supply
affordable in-home two-way video services for tele-support, health
advice and information as well as direct ‘live’ tele-consultations with
its health professionals. It is envisaged that once trialled by the
Airedale NHS Trust, the solution could be deployed more widely across
the NHS and elsewhere.
John Eaglesham chief executive officer of ADI said, “This is an
exciting project which will change the way patients receive care in the
home whilst also providing numerous economic and social benefits.”
The research project will involve further developing the technology
to provide a highly interactive consultation experience for the patient
and doctor, including cameras with zoom and pan controls, and connection
to a streaming video server providing video information clips to
patients.
The project is being supported with funding from the UK Technology
Strategy Board under their Assisted Living Innovation Platform
programme.
Explaining the Technology Strategy Board's support for the research
their Assisted Living specialist, Jackie Marshall-Cyrus, said:
"Through our Assisted Living Innovation Platform, we are investing in
the development of technology-based solutions that address health and
care challenges caused by the welcome impact of living longer, but the
increasing demand for care for people with long term conditions.
"Once developed, this system will have the potential to bring social
and economic benefits to the UK, and could be used around the world.
We are delighted to offer our support."
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