An NBN telehealth trial in Armidale and Kiama will focus on the delivery of high-quality NBN-enabled telehealth services to older Australians with chronic conditions in their homes.
Patients selected to participate in the trial may receive such services as:
- in-home telehealth monitoring of patient health and well-being indicators such as blood pressure, glucose levels and lung function
- home video consultations to allow patients to communicate with relevant health providers through high-quality video
- preventative care and healthy living support providing coaching and up-to-date information to promote healthier lifestyles.
The trial will also include a mental health element enabling young Australians (aged 12 to 25) with, or at risk of, mental illnesses or drug-related problems to better access NBN-enabled headspace mental care services.
The trial will take advantage of the NBN’s ubiquity, high-speed download and upload capability as well as network stability and reliability. It will provide a practical demonstration of how the NBN can help improve delivery of health services, particularly in regional communities.
The trial is being funded under the Digital Regions Initiative. It will be delivered by the Hunter New-England Local Health District, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Medicare Local in collaboration with the NSW Ministry of Health.
