West Yorkshire-based research and development organisation The Advanced Digital Institute (ADI) is leading a £1.5 million research project to develop a “leading edge” tele-health consultation system that will help doctors and carers talk with patients in their own homes, reducing the number of patients having to travel to and from hospitals.
The TV-based video telephony solution will be developed with two Bradford-based patrtners, Red Embedded Design, which has been developing a TV-based videophone telephony service, and BTL, which is developing interactive e-learning applications for the service. To be initially deployed by the Airedale NHS Trust, the technology will supply “affordable” in-home two-way video services for tele-support, health advice and information, plus direct “live” tele-consultations with its health professionals. Once trialled by the Airedale NHS Trust, the solution could be deployed more widely across the NHS and elsewhere.
The “seven figure” research project will involve further developing tele-health technology to provide a “highly interactive” consultation experience for patient and doctor, including cameras with zoom and pan controls, and connection to a streaming video server providing patient video information clips. The project is being supported with funding from the UK Technology Strategy Board under its Assisted Living Innovation Platform programme. The Board’s Assisted Living specialist, Jackie Marshall-Cyrus, said: " Once developed, this system will have the potential to bring social and economic benefits to the UK, and could be used worldwide."
“Assisted Living Team” JPEG photo caption (from left to right): Debby Bentley, programme manager Airedale NHS Trust; Claire Wrightson, programme manager, BTL; Ian Stoddart, project manager, Red Embedded; David Harson, programme manager ADI; Dave Taylor, director. Red Embedded.
