The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety was speaking at a conference in Belfast where the role of new technology in assisting people to live at home was explored.
The Minister said: “We live in the information and technological age where new equipment can play a huge part in the delivery of health and social care.
“Tele-care, tele-health, tele-medicine and tele-monitoring are all tremendous strides forward for the better and can make wonderful differences to people’s lives.
“Such technology can also contribute to lots of schemes which provide support and care for people who do not want to go to hospitals or homes and who do not necessarily need to go there either but instead can live full and safe lives in their own environment.”
The Minister explained how such projects can alleviate pressure on the hospital system: “Too many people end up in hospital or have to stay in hospital longer because the correct care package is not available for them in the community. I want to break that circle – new technology can play a part.”
Michael McGimpsey said that these schemes would be enhanced over the next few years: “My Department is investing £1.5million over the next two years so that pilot projects can run to promote the development of new technologies. This will include a monitoring system for children with congenital heart disease, monitoring of patients with implantable devices and a number of schemes for people living with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- “Delivering Telecare in Northern Ireland” conference is being held in the Stormont Hotel.
- The term “telecare” covers a range of services which includes the remote monitoring of environmental sensors, using products such as pressure mats and flood sensors and the remote monitoring of physiological measurements such as blood pressure and respiratory function. The overall aim of the employment of telecare is to support people with health or social care needs to live independently at home.
- Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office – 028 9052 0074.
