Saltaire company heads £1.5m project (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Saltaire company heads £1.5m project

8:20am Thursday 25th June 2009 in Search By Marc Meneaud

A Saltaire-based research organisation is leading a £1.5 million project to develop a hi-tech IT system which allows people to receive healthcare in their homes.

The Advanced Digital Institute (ADI) in Old Mill Lane, is developing the Tele-health Consultation System, which will give patients a link via TVs in their homes to doctors and healthcare professionals.

A spokesman for ADI said the system will “revolutionise” the way patients receive advice and support.

John Eaglesham, ADI chief executive officer, said: “This is an exciting project which will change the way patients receive care in the home while also providing numerous economic and social benefits.”

When it is fully developed, the system is expected to save the NHS and patients money by cutting travel expenses to and from routine consultations and freeing up hospital facilities.

The Tele-health Consultation System will be developed in conjunction with partners including Red Embedded Design, a Bradford-based company that has been developing a TV-based videophone.

Other partners include BTL, a leading technology company based in Ashley Lane, Shipley, which is developing interactive e-learning applications for the service.

The system will initially be used by the Airedale NHS Trust to provide health advice and information as well as direct ‘live’ tele-consultations with its health professionals. It will use cameras with zoom and pan controls and connection to a streaming video ser- ver providing information clips to patients.

The project is being supported with funding from the UK Technology Strategy Board under their Assisted Living Innovation Platform programme.

Explaining the Technology Strategy Board’s support for the research their Assisted Living specialist, Jackie Marshall-Cyrus, said: “We are investing in the development of technology-based solutions that address health and care challenges caused by the welcome impact of living longer, but the increasing demand for care for people with long term conditions.

“Once developed, this system will have the potential to bring social and economic benefits to the UK, and could be used around the world. We are delighted to offer our support.”