1st May 2008

Telstra has unveiled a display of futuristic medical technology as part of a new business health initiative it says will be critical in helping Australia cope with future demands on the health system.

A new wireless version of the traditional doctors' stethoscope and intelligent remote monitoring systems designed to help treat and support people out of hospitals and nursing homes are among the hi-tech equipment on show at the Telstra Experience Centre in Sydney.

Telstra Business Group Managing Director, Deena Shiff, said greater use of smart networked health technology was the key to meeting the challenges faced by an ageing population and greater demand for scarce resources.

"Health in the future is less about the institution and more about the individual. It's about moving away from hospitals and addressing problems in the community."

Ms Shiff said Telstra was committed to ensure Australia was at the forefront in bringing cost-efficient medical solutions closer to the patient.

"Telstra is joining forces with the world's best health application providers and we will leverage our relationships with health and medical professionals around the country to ensure that Telstra can help them provide better patient focussed care. Simple to use, practical technology which allows medical professionals to do what they do best - looking after patients, in a cost effective, highly productive way.

"Already 9 percent of Australia's GDP is spent on health and that figure is rising every year. Care outside hospitals and residential facilities will take on more and more importance," Ms Shiff said.

Technology on show for the launch of Telstra's Business health solutions encompasses both products already available and some soon to be released, including:

Remote monitoring systems - connecting patients in their homes with a continuous information feedback link back to health professionals to assist in the management of chronic illnesses.

Integrated care systems - allowing patients to securely share records with carers including community nurses, physicians and pharmacists.

"This technology will also assist in the management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension by enabling continuous feedback between patients and their caregivers. The outcome is more proactive, efficient and comprehensive care that may pre-empt chronic illness- related complications, costly follow-up and in some cases disability.

Ms Shiff said Telstra was best placed to help provide 21st century health technology to Australia's health sector given its investment in the high-bandwidth Next G™ network and Telstra Next IP™ network which allowed for integrated systems and the fact that Telstra's Next G™ network is Australia's largest and fastest national mobile network.

"Telstra recognises that smart networked health technology linked by high-speed networks is the answer. Already we've seen rural nursing organisations amongst the biggest users of our Next G™ network and they have reported big savings while improving service as they work remotely and have better access to information.

"Telstra is able to bring global best practice solutions to all of the participants in the health system, from patients - through preventative and chronic care health solutions, primary and secondary medical practitioners, and large scale health solutions to support major hospitals and government health departments," Ms Shiff said.

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