Health Minister Visits Telehealth Solutions Project on Bute

Wed 01 Sep, 2010 // Tartan Silk
Sturgeon

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon this week visited Telehealth Solutions’ groundbreaking HomePod project that has revolutionised patient care on the Isle of Bute for COPD patients.

Ms Sturgeon, who was on the island for the summer cabinet meeting, visited NHS Highland staff pioneering the use of telehealth on the island.

In November last year she presented the team, and the firm behind the technology – Telehealth Solutions, with the Scottish Health Award for Innovation.

Fifteen Telehealth Solutions HomePods were given to patients with chronic lung disorders at the start of 2009. Patients use the HomePod to answer questions and measure vital statistics then the device electronically sends information to the district nurse team the moment the patient takes a test. That means the clinical team can keep a close eye on the patient’s condition without leaving the surgery, and the patient can rest assured they’re not alone, though a carer may be miles away.

The pioneering project was established a year ago with very limited resources. The subsequent evaluation showed that, for this patient group, savings had been made on hospital admission costs and also costs associated with out-of-hours emergencies and helicopter call-outs.

NHS Highland’s Hub redesign/telehealth project manager Lynn Garrett, who spearheaded the project, said: “We were delighted to welcome Ms Sturgeon to Bute and give her an update on the progress of the telehealth project, which has proven a real success in streamlining services on the island.”

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