Visitors to the TelemonitoringNI stand included Peter Robinson, First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Edwin Poots, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), Andrew McCormick, permanent secretary for the DHSSPS, Diane Dodds, MEP, Martina Anderson, MEP and Jim Nicholson, MEP.
The service enables nurses to remotely monitor patients' vital signs such as blood pressure and weight on a daily basis. This clinical triage allows patients to be monitored in their own homes, where previously they would have had to travel to their GP or hospital. This means less stress for patients and helps them in understanding and managing their condition.
David Cockayne, Director, TF3 Consortium said: "As a strategic partner to the health and social care organisations, TF3 is proud to contribute to Northern Ireland's growing knowledge-based economy and continues to invest in developing remote monitoring services across the country to build on the over 1400 patients that have already benefited from its support."
Mr Poots, who led a group of businesses, universities and health care representatives to Brussels, said it was a great opportunity for Northern Ireland. "Our mission here is simple: demonstrate how the Connected Health and Prosperity agenda is working in Northern Ireland and we will attract more interest, expertise and investment," he said. "This can only improve the ways we deliver healthcare."
The event follows the visit by Mr Poots in December to the TF3 TelemonitoringNI centre in Holywood on its first anniversary, to see first-hand the fantastic support being offered to people who live with long-term conditions in Northern Ireland.
The service, provided by TF3* in conjunction with the five Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs), is funded by the DHSSPS and the Centre for Connected Health and Social Care (CCHSC), part of the Public Health Agency (PHA). It is set to benefit up to 20,000 people over six years by enabling better control over their own health and improving care outcomes.
*TF3 consortium, which comprises of Tunstall Healthcare, Fold Housing Association and S3 Group, was awarded the 'end-to-end' managed service last year, representing an investment of £18m by the Department of Health, Social Services and the Centre for Connected Health and Social Care, Public Health Agency (CCHSC).