Chronic Health Care Revolutionised in Loddon Mallee

Chronic Health Care Revolutionised in Loddon Mallee


Media release - 31 October 2006

Patient care in the Loddon Mallee region is being revolutionised with new patient monitoring technology, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Marsha Thomson said today.

Ms Thomson today visited Kyneton Hospital to announce the $2.25 million Loddon Mallee Health Alliances' Connecting Clients to Care project (CC2C) which will enable patients to receive essential medical treatment from home.

"This project consists of two vital components, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) technology and Mobile Video Communication (MVC)," she said.

"RPM technology will permit patients with Chronic Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma and Diabetes to be monitored and cared for at home.

"Patients can take their own blood pressure, pulse, heart beat and glucose levels, and enter their data into the Patient Monitoring System, where it is stored and uploaded during an online consultation with a care coordinator."

"As a result patients don't have to experience the hardship of leaving their families and communities, but instead can receive treatment in the comfort of their homes."

Due for completion in 2007, the project will also utilise Mobile Video Communication (MVC) wireless devices to help rural health workers such as district nurses and other medical providers to deliver quality health care in remote areas.

Using laptops and a digital video camera fitted with a wireless transmitter, district nurses and other mobile health workers can have 'virtual consultations' with doctors and specialists on an ad-hoc basis.

Ms Thomson said MVC technology would offer that critical second opinion for field workers and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for a five-minute follow up consultation.

The Bracks Government contributed $1.57 million to the CC2C project from its Broadband Innovation Fund. Fifteen million in funding over three years has been allocated from the Science, Technology and Innovation Initiative to encourage innovative use of broadband in delivering key government services such as health, education, primary industries and the environment.

The Loddon Mallee Health Alliance represents the ICT interests of 16 hospitals and more than 70 not for profit health agencies located around approximately 200 individual sites throughout the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria.