Apr. 10 2024
Source Page: Local Digital evaluation scoping studyFound: For example, adopting remote consultation processes with GPs via telemedicine tools and technologies
Government Response Mar. 27 2024
Committee: International Agreements CommitteeFound: Health and life sciences, including rural health, telemedicine , and health technology; d.
Mar. 26 2024
Source Page: World Trade Organization General Council March 2024: UK StatementsFound: Response to COVID-19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics/Pandemic Like Situations: Cross-Border Telemedicine
Mar. 18 2024
Source Page: Digital development strategy 2024 to 2030Found: technology and organisational models in areas such as Ed-Tech, digital literacy, digital health services and telemedicine
Mar. 15 2024
Source Page: I. Equity in medical devices: Independent Review. Incl. appendices [Chair, Dame Margaret Whitehead]. 130p. II. Government response to the report of the equity in medical devices: independent review. 64p.Found: certainly concerns that diagnosis may be delayed or negatively affected when using dermoscopes and telemedicine
Mar. 11 2024
Source Page: Equity in medical devices: independent review - final reportFound: certainly concerns that diagnosis may be delayed or negatively affected when using dermoscopes and telemedicine
Mar. 11 2024
Source Page: Equity in medical devices: independent review - final reportFound: certainly concerns that diagnosis may be delayed or negatively affected when using dermoscopes and telemedicine
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will provide financial assistance to vulnerable customers reliant on (a) monitoring and (b) emergency call services where their equipment has to be upgraded as a result of BT's digital switchover.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The analogue landline network, also known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a privately owned network and the decision to replace it with digital landlines has been made by the telecoms industry. Government has no formal role in the switchover process. While BT owns the largest amount of PSTN lines, this upgrade is not just confined to that company. This migration is due to necessity, as the PSTN is old and increasingly prone to failure. Retaining customers on the PSTN would mean a significant long-term risk to individuals.
The switchover process means that certain devices and services which rely on analogue landlines, such as some telecare alarms, will need to be replaced. Upgrading these devices will ensure that they are compatible with a more secure underlying infrastructure.
Since the switchover is not led by Government, there is no designated funding available from DSIT. Where telecare devices are provided by local authorities or the NHS, these organisations will need to ensure that telecare users have compatible devices. Telecare users should contact the organisation providing their devices, to discuss what support is available to them. We also encourage concerned customers to contact their Communication Provider (such as BT or VMO2) to understand their approach to the switchover and what support is available.
Mentions:
1: Lord Crisp (XB - Life peer) On the telemedicine side, THET regularly runs 24 specialist and four general clinics, and has seen 158,000 - Speech Link
2: Lord Benyon (Con - Life peer) some of the most vulnerable people, including migrants, and women and girls in volatile areas, through telemedicine - Speech Link
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using the bilateral aid allocated to the Myanmar-UK Health Partnership programme to (a) support and (b) protect (i) nurses and (ii) healthcare workers targeted by the Junta regime in Myanmar.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government remains committed to assisting nurses and healthcare workers in Myanmar. The Myanmar-UK Health Partnership has supported Myanmar health workers to establish pop-up clinics and provided crucial training to develop capacity in opposition-held areas. It supplies doctors and nurses in Myanmar with web-based learning materials and has provided more than 3,000 nurses with nursing training. The programme has also supported the provision of direct services through digital methods, such as telemedicine services. The programme is designed to ensure that Myanmar's population can access healthcare services despite access constraints, while reducing the risks to health workers.