NBN Enabled Tele-health Trial Launched in WA

The Hon Sharon Bird MP, Federal Minister for Regional Communications will launch a National Broadband Network (NBN) enabled tele-health trial in home care services for older Australians in Geraldton WA, today. Telehealth can deliver healthcare through remotely monitoring a person’s vital signs utilising equipment that is installed in their home.
The pilot, part of a national consortium managed by Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council (ACIITC) an entity co-owned by Leading Age Services Australia (LASA)  and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA)  has been established to demonstrate how the high-speed broadband provided through the National Broadband Network will enable home efficient and effective home based health care, enabling older Australians to live in their homes longer.
“The project will monitor clients vital signs based on answers to questions that are recorded daily, and conduct face-to-face video calls and conferencing remotely. I am proud that LASA is leading the industry, demonstrating how age services are harnessing technology as soon as it is rolled-out,” said Patrick Reid, CEO of Leading Age Service Australia.
The WA project will run in-conjunction with another located in Kiama in the Illawarra region of NSW.
“Telehealth allows home care providers to closely monitor a client’s health and quickly recognise and respond to any deterioration. “The integrated health network means the client can receive advice from a GP or Pharmacist avoiding an unnecessary hospital admission and in the case of rural clients, lengthy travel,” Mr Reid said. “Telehealth also has a positive educative role helping older Australians understand and monitor their health and wellbeing, rather than ‘holding off’ and seeking assistance when their circumstance becomes serious. The individual health and financial benefits are considerable.
“An added benefit of the project is that it will explore how Telehealth information can be integrated to the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCeHR) as this information is vital for all Australians and forms part of the clinical care of older Australians wherever they live,” Mr Reid added.
“LASA is hopeful that a successful pilot outcome will act as a catalyst to enable older Australians across the country access to Telehealth; something that would revolutionise age service provision in rural and remote Australia.”