LASA Secures Successful Funding Bid to Introduce Telehealth

The opportunity for Australians to stay in their own homes as long as possible has taken a great leap with Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA) securing funding for an innovative technology project in age services today.
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy has announced Leading Age Services Australia’s (LASA) successful funding bid for an innovative technology project in age services, today. This project will be delivered through the Aged Care Industry IT Council (ACIITC) jointly owned by LASA and ACSA in conjunction with project partners, Accenture, Silverchain and Illawarra Retirement Trust.
“The looming age service liability is often discussed, but what is not discussed enough are solutions, particularly through IT implementation.” LASA CEO Patrick Reid says. “This project will bring state-of the-art telehealth, enabled through the National Broadband Network, to 180 older Australians in 2 locations, Wollongong NSW and Geraldton WA. “The industry is dovetailing the implementation of telehealth with the roll-out of the NBN. LASA understands that age service providers need to utilise technology as soon as it becomes available. This project will test how telehealth can be used with an aim to replicate its use across the nation.
“LASA understands that the majority of Australians want to stay in their own home for as long as possible, we also know that it is important for health and wellbeing to maintain a primary health focus and minimise hospital admissions. These are key components of the telehealth model,” he adds.