Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "Telemonitoring NI continues to grow and expand. To date the service has benefited around 1,500 patients in Northern Ireland, with long-term conditions helping them to better manage their health.
"Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and COPD affect around three quarters of people over the age of 75. This is the generation for whom transport and mobility pose the biggest problems. The Telemonitoring NI service will allow thousands to monitor their vital signs without having to leave their own homes. It means that patients are able to understand and manage their condition better. Many say it has improved their confidence and given them peace of mind.
"Telemonitoring NI is an excellent example of how the Health Service can innovate using modern technology to deliver a better service for our patients."
The 'Telemonitoring NI celebratory event' was hosted by the Centre for Connected Health and Social Care (CCHSC), which is part of the Public Health Agency (PHA), and the Department of Health. It was held in order to showcase the Telemonitoring NI service, and recognise Health and Social Care practitioners who are the vanguards of implementing telemonitoring.
Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the PHA, said: "Telemonitoring is a leading example of the application of connected health, and means that people who have been diagnosed with conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, transient ischemic attack or a stroke can have their vital signs monitored from their own home.
"The contract for the delivery of the Telemonitoring NI service was awarded to the TF3 Consortium in March 2011 by the CCHSC. The consortium works in partnership with the five health and social care trusts to deliver remote monitoring services to people across Northern Ireland."
During the event, Simon Arnold, UK & Ireland Managing Director at the TF3 Consortium gave a talk on how telemonitoring has enabled Northern Ireland to transform care, putting the individual at the centre of its care model and promoting better outcomes for the user, carer and family.
Simon said: "Telehealth forms part of an important element in the modernisation of the Northern Ireland health and social care delivery system. TF3 is a unique consortium of Tunstall Healthcare, Fold Telecare and S3 Group and together we are delivering a clinically-led managed service to support patients from referral to discharge. This represents a long-term commitment and we are investing in the service to keep Northern Ireland at the forefront globally as a technology-enabled connected health eco-system.
"The Government's 'Transforming Your Care' programme, which includes a strategic assessment of all aspects of health and social care in Northern Ireland, recommended the greater use of telehealth as a key enabler, providing greater support to individuals and health care professionals through telehealth monitoring. We are delighted and proud to see the Telemonitoring NI service being commended for its success so far."
Dr Rooney continued: "Not only does Telemonitoring NI help patients manage their condition; it provides healthcare professionals with information to enable them to make appropriate decisions about patient care, meaning there is less need for hospital admission, allowing for better use of resources. Telemonitoring also helps carers by ensuring they are better informed and supported.
"The event this week brought together delegates to review recent developments within telemonitoring services, showcase the achievements of the service, promote the benefits of remote monitoring and aims to encourage adoption of the telemonitoring service within the wider Heath and Social Care sector."