Getting To The Heart Of The Matter In The Highlands
HEART disease is without doubt one of Scotland’s biggest modern day killers. But now a revolutionary new telehealth system, devised by UK firm Telehealth Solutions, is offering Scots the chance to have a 20 minute heart check that could save their lives.
The CardioPod is an impressive piece of technology installed in pharmacies that offers people a comprehensive, professionally-supervised heart check.
And in just under 20 minutes the results are in the hands of the patient, with the health of the heart and any grave risks illustrated perfectly by smiling and frowning faces.
The machine is already being used across Scotland and, in some more remote areas, is greatly reducing the number of hospital admissions Highlands and Islands MSP Mary Scanlon recently witnessed the launch of a revolutionary telehealth system that is already turning primary healthcare on its head.
As shadow health secretary, the Scottish Conservatives MSP was invited to officially launch the CardioPod system from Telehealth Solutions in Edinburgh last month. And she was impressed with the potential for targeting and, ultimately, reducing Scotland’s abysmal heart disease record by handing the reins of their own heart health back to the people.
Mary commented: “As I represent constituents in the Highlands and Islands, which include many remote communities, the concept of the CardioPod offering people remote access to vital cardiovascular checks is of particular interest to me and was delighted to have been part of the launch.
“I feel here we are on the threshold of something very big in Scotland and the UK in general and the rise of telehealth systems, such as the CardioPod, can only be good for the health of the nation.
“Heart disease is a very long-standing problem in Scotland and every effort must be made to turn things around. That is why it is encouraging to see firms like Telehealth Solutions progressing so rapidly with technology designed to do just that and to help people turn their lives around before it is too late and the damage done to the heart is irreversible.”
“I would like to congratulate Apple Pharmacy for taking the step to become the first in Scotland to have a CardioPod installed and also commend Telehealth Solutions for pushing the boundaries of 21st century primary healthcare. I look forward to seeing the technology being brought into communities in the Highlands and Islands in due course, where I am positive the difference made to the health of many residents will be significance.”
Watford-based Telehealth Solutions is helping to turn the face of primary healthcare in the UK around with its pioneering telehealth systems.
Executive chairman Jeremy Cummin said the rise of pods is helping to steer patients away from the minefield that is ‘self diagnosis’, whether using information from the internet or books.
And he said one of the main benefits of the CardioPod is the fact the tests carried out are professionally supervised, so patients are not simply given their results by an automated service. Once the test is over, the pharmacist can advise on the best course of action once patients have their results to hand.
Jeremy said: “Patients love the CardioPod, largely because it gives them some control over the management of their own health. Cardiovascular disease is one of Scotland’s biggest killers, which is why we’re keen to step in with this groundbreaking technology and catch the warning signs at an early stage so more people have a chance to take their health – and their futures – into their own hands.”
Posted on Tuesday, 13 October 2009