UNSW: The University of New South Wales - Sydney Australia - News

21 November 2005

Technology developed at the University of New South Wales for the home treatment of the chronically ill has been commercialised.

MedCare Systems, founded by Professor Branko Celler in the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, and Associate Professor Nigel Lovell in the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, specialises in innovative healthcare technologies which relieve the pressure on the healthcare system.

Patients can monitor their vital signs and transmit that information over the internet to their doctor, manage their medication, and obtain relevant healthcare information.

The technology has been trialled successfully with patients in private homes, nursing homes, residential care facilities and in general practitioners surgeries.

MedCare and the University of New South Wales have just completed a major IT in Aged Care Project, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, to explore the impact of these technologies on improving the delivery of clinical care in nursing homes.

MedCare is also beginning to deploy falls monitoring and prevention systems based on a wearable device that monitors acceleration forces on the body, in conjunction with a commercial partner. This also acts as an emergency button and provides a voice connection to a call centre or emergency service.

MedCare Systems has succeeded in attracting a substantial equity investment from Telemedcare Pl from the UK. This company is closely linked to United Health, a major provider of healthcare services in the Midlands area. This investment has given MedCare Systems a substantial presence in the UK and a foothold for exploring market opportunities in Europe.

By 2050, 35 percent of the population of the EEC will be over 60 and in some countries 14 percent will be over 85. In Australia the proportion of those aged over 65 will double and those over 85 will quadruple by 2050. As populations age, the burden of chronic disease increases and the elderly become major consumers of healthcare services and are disproportionally represented in Emergency Department admissions. We know that;

Around 80 percent of GP consultations relate to chronic disease
Patients with a chronic disease or complications use over 60 percent of hospital bed days
Two thirds of patients admitted as medical emergencies have exacerbation of chronic disease or have chronic disease
For patients with more than one condition, costs are six times higher than those with only one
Some people are highly intensive users of services (10 percent of inpatients account for 55 percent of inpatient days) or very intensive users (5 percent of inpatients account for 40 percent of bed days)

Governments worldwide are looking at alternative ways of delivering health care services to the chronically ill. Many such as the NHS are investing heavily in technologies that will enable patients to remain at home.

Contact: Professor Branko Celler, mob 0418 228 297
Media contact: Mary O'Malley, ph 9385 2873, mob 043 888 1124, m.omalley@unsw.edu.au

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	MEDIA, NEWS & EVENTS Commercialising home healthcare 21 November 2005 Technology developed at the University of New South Wales for the home treatment of the chronically ill has been commercialised. MedCare Systems, founded by Professor Branko Celler in the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, and Associate Professor Nigel Lovell in the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, specialises in innovative healthcare technologies which relieve the pressure on the healthcare system. Patients can monitor their vital signs and transmit that information over the internet to their doctor, manage their medication, and obtain relevant healthcare information. The technology has been trialled successfully with patients in private homes, nursing homes, residential care facilities and in general practitioners surgeries. MedCare and the University of New South Wales have just completed a major IT in Aged Care Project, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, to explore the impact of these technologies on improving the delivery of clinical care in nursing homes. MedCare is also beginning to deploy falls monitoring and prevention systems based on a wearable device that monitors acceleration forces on the body, in conjunction with a commercial partner. This also acts as an emergency button and provides a voice connection to a call centre or emergency service. MedCare Systems has succeeded in attracting a substantial equity investment from Telemedcare Pl from the UK. This company is closely linked to United Health, a major provider of healthcare services in the Midlands area. This investment has given MedCare Systems a substantial presence in the UK and a foothold for exploring market opportunities in Europe. By 2050, 35 percent of the population of the EEC will be over 60 and in some countries 14 percent will be over 85. In Australia the proportion of those aged over 65 will double and those over 85 will quadruple by 2050. As populations age, the burden of chronic disease increases and the elderly become major consumers of healthcare services and are disproportionally represented in Emergency Department admissions. We know that; Around 80 percent of GP consultations relate to chronic disease Patients with a chronic disease or complications use over 60 percent of hospital bed days Two thirds of patients admitted as medical emergencies have exacerbation of chronic disease or have chronic disease For patients with more than one condition, costs are six times higher than those with only one Some people are highly intensive users of services (10 percent of inpatients account for 55 percent of inpatient days) or very intensive users (5 percent of inpatients account for 40 percent of bed days) Governments worldwide are looking at alternative ways of delivering health care services to the chronically ill. Many such as the NHS are investing heavily in technologies that will enable patients to remain at home. Contact: Professor Branko Celler, mob 0418 228 297 Media contact: Mary O'Malley, ph 9385 2873, mob 043 888 1124, m.omalley@unsw.edu.au
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Commercialising home healthcare