West Yorkshire firms lead way with tele-health project

SALTAIRE-based Advanced Digital Institute (ADI) is to lead a £1.5m research project to develop a tele-health consultation system.

The innovative new healthcare technology is set to revolutionise the way patients receive advice and support by providing live communication with experts from the comfort of their own armchair.

It’s hoped the system, which will be a TV-based video telephone solution, will help doctors and carers reduce the number of patients having to travel to and from hospitals.

Other partners involved in the project include Bradford-based Red Embedded Design and BTL – a technology company also based in the city that is developing interactive e-learning applications for the service.

John Eaglesham, chief executive officer of ADI, 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.”

The seven figure research project, which is being supported with funding from the UK Technology Strategy Board, will involve further developing the technology to provide a highly interactive consultation experience for the patient and doctor, including cameras with zoom and pan controls and connection to a streaming video server providing video information clips to patients.

The system will initially be piloted by the Airedale NHS Trust.