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BT and NHS trial remote healthcare service in Wakefield
The initiative is designed to make life easier for chronic heart failure patients.
The project, which makes use of an interactive system called the Intel Health Guide, enables sufferers to record their blood pressure, oxygen levels and other vital signs.
This information can then be sent for analysis by their community nurse via their broadband connection.
Patients in the Wakefield district are involved in the test scheme, which is set to end in February 2011. After this date, health service chiefs will decide whether to use the facility on a permanent basis.
Dr Justin Whatling, chief clinical officer at BT Health, said: "The Wakefield trial demonstrates how the patient can benefit in terms of quality of life and the community nurse can work more effectively."
Remote healthcare could become increasingly appealing to patients, with 29 per cent of respondents to a recent Virgin Media Business poll stating they hope to be able to have consultations with their GP via webcam by 2020.