Australia launches in-home telemonitoring technology for veterans

By eGov Innovation Editors | Dec 4, 2011

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Australia has announced an $8-million trial of an in-home telemonitoring technology that will enable chronically ill veterans to have their health monitored by health professionals without leaving their home.

Warren Snowdon, Minster for Veteran Affairs, said the  technology combines the best of the National Broadband Network (NBN) high-speed broadband with chronic care management to benefit the veteran community.

“This trial will take advantage of reliable, high-speed and high-capacity broadband capability to change the way health services are delivered to the veteran community and allow veterans to access high-quality health care from home. Vital statistics will be monitored from home and veterans will also have access to high definition video consultations with their general practitioner (GP) or nurse coordinator when required," he said in a news release.

Around 300 veterans will be able to participate in the trial in Toowoomba in Queensland, Coffs Harbour and Armidale in New South Wales, Mandurah and Geraldton in Western Australia and Kingston Beach in Tasmania, starting July 2012.

Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, said the trial is an example of "the exciting and transformational opportunities enabled by the NBN, and contributes to the Australian government’s vision for Australia as a world leading digital economy by 2020."

“The NBN is the platform that will connect veterans and their health care teams, providing an avenue for care that is ideally suited to many people within our veteran community,” he said.