Dunbar diabetes telehealth clinics trial a success
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DIABETIC patients in Caithness have been taking part in a new telehealth clinic that aims to help speed up appointments with consultants.
The North Highland Community Health Partnership is piloting telehealth consultations in the diabetes service at the Dunbar Hospital in Thurso.
It claims the procedure will help reduce consultants’ travelling time, enabling them to see more patients and, thus, reduce the length of time locals have to wait for return appointments.
The partnership claims it will also reduce the need for patients to travel to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness if they need a review before the next planned local clinic.
A trial telehealth clinic for diabetes was held last month and the first clinic with patients was held on November 4.
Consultant diabetologist and endocrinologist Professor Sandra MacRury said: "The patients involved were comfortable with the technology and felt that video-conferencing consultations worked well.
"A formal evaluation of the clinic will be carried out within the next month and we are hoping they will be implemented in January."
She added: "Three patients took part in the first telehealth clinic and gave positive feedback to video conferencing, saying that there was enough time to discuss problems, they felt comfortable talking via a television screen and the clinic met their needs."
