Telehealth Network picks BCS Global and Vidyo for GPs' videoconferencing service

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 14 December 2011 07:58

Business IT - Networking

The Australian Telehealth Network (ATN) has launched its video consultation services for GPs, specialists and aged care providers in partnership with BCS Global and Vidyo.

ATN executive director, Mark Barnett, said: "Aged care providers across the country have enormous difficulties in accessing GP and specialist services in a timely manner, which sometimes has serious and adverse outcomes for residents. ATN's partnership with [BCS Global and Vidyo] allows us to provide a cash flow positive service to [our] aged care, GP and specialist members right from day one taking into account the Government's $6,000 on-board incentive to assist the set-up of telehealth."

The ATN service was stimulated by the Commonwealth Government's $620 million Telehealth initiative aimed at increasing the uptake of telehealth by physicians and aged care providers and physicians and hospitals in remote and regional Australia.

It claims to "bring together aged care providers, general practitioners and specialists into one member network, facilitating virtual face-to-face sharing of expertise and information from within the Australian network." In 2012, it is planned for the service to be launched in New Zealand.

ATN says it chose BCS Global and Vidyo to implement and manage the video consultation services after "an extensive global search for a proven video consultation technology that would be suitable for the Australian market."

BCS Global provides managed video collaboration services for various industry verticals, including the telehealth segment. It claims to operate a global B2B video exchange that "enables users across the world to meet instantaneously regardless of their video systeM, network provider or type of connection."

Vidyo claims to have pioneered personal telepresence by "enabling natural, HD multi-point videoconferences on tablets and smartphones, PCs and Macs, room systems and gateways that interoperate with H.323 and SIP endpoints."

According to ATN, "Users of the service have the ability to conduct telepresence-quality face-to-face interactions anytime, anywhere over the Internet using existing laptops, smart-phones or tablets - making it a very affordable solution for patients and health care providers."

BCS Global CEO, Clive Sawkins, said: "Leveraging on the partnership with Vidyo, BCS Global offers a cloud-based managed video collaboration service that'¦delivers a superior user experience that is easy-to-use, reliable and supported 24x7 globally."