Monthly Archives: January 2012

Modern technology is ‘life-changing’

Remote telemonitoring combines technology and services that enable patients with chronic diseases to test their vital signs

Doreen and Michael Howard from Larne, Co Antrim demonstrate to Eddie Ritson, Programme Director of Centre for Connected Health and Social Care (CCHSC), part of the Public Health Agency, how Mr Howard monitors his vital signs on hisTelemonitoring NI equipment.
Published on Thursday 19 January 2012 09:13

THE latest technology and healthcare are working hand in hand to help thousands of people in Northern Ireland with long term chronic conditions take more control of managing their health in their own homes.

Remote telemonitoring combines technology and services that enable patients with chronic diseases to test their vital signs such as pulse, blood pressure, body weight, temperature, blood glucose and oxygen levels at home on a daily basis. The service is now being rolled out to 3,500 patients across Northern Ireland per annum for a period of six years.

The Health Bill – ‘outright Opposition’

NHS plans: Unions move to ‘outright opposition’

By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News

 The health bill is currently working its way through Parliament

The unions representing nurses and midwives have joined others in stating their “outright opposition” to the government’s NHS plans in England.

The Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives had expressed concerns in the past, but said they were willing to work with ministers.

However, now they want the entire bill covering the changes to be dropped.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the unions wanted to “have a go” at government about “pay and pensions”.

End-of-life care should be a positive experience

People deserve to have their end-of-life care wishes met

With the number of dying each year expected to increase, the government needs to make the right to a good death a priority

Providing home-based end-of-life care should be a positive experience.

Every minute in the UK someone dies. That’s over half a million people a year, but many of us are still not receiving good end-of-life care or having our dying wishes met. This can cause unnecessary pain and suffering.