This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Telemedicine top of agenda at government summit
20/05/2005
Ways in which telemedicine and new technology are revolutionising healthcare in Scotland, particularly in rural areas, were highlighted at a goverment summit today.
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Yorkhill Children's Hospital were praised for their innovative use of new technology.
Health Minister Andy Kerr addressed senior representatives at the British-Irish Council (BIC) meeting on the Isle of Man. He said:
"Scotland has been delighted to work with other members of the BIC to look at ways to further advance telemedicine and eHealth systems.
"In rural and remote communities dealing with patient demand for consultant and expert advice, improving access to services and providing general medical support are everyday issues that telemedicine and eHealth services can address.
"In Scotland we have linked medical staff at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary accident and emergency department to 15 community hospitals across Grampian for rapid advice on referral and patient management.
"A paediatric videoconferencing system based at Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow has been introduced successfully and is now being rolled out to regional paediatricians across Scotland. This has led to a number of other clinical teams in various specialties to express an interest in using the technology.
"And, as part of our work to tackle hospital associated infection we have supported a new internet education service, the first of its kind in the UK, provided by NHS Education for Scotland for all health workers.
"The potential of telemedicine to modernise the delivery of healthcare across Scotland and other countries is only just beginning to be realised. I look forward to continuing to work with BIC colleagues to develop further systems to improve the delivery fo services to patients."
The seventh summit meeting of the British Irish Council was held in the Isle of Man. The British-Irish Council (BIC) was established under the Good Friday Agreement, concluded in 1998, to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of relations between the peoples of these islands.
The Isle of Man Summit focussed on the area of telemedicine and its strong potential to modernise the delivery of health and social care across BIC administrations.