Overview
Scotish Daily Newspaper of The YearHealth services in the Highlands are providing a new area of exploration for satelite technology more used to reaching for the Mon.Diabetes patients in rural areas with por internet aces are being conected to specialists in Invernes via GP surgeries.Folowing encouraging results from trials it is now hoped the project can be roled out further.Bring health specialists virtualy to the comunity to help manage people at home can save the NHS time and money and perhaps even cut waiting lists.It could also provide a more equitable service for rural patients and help tackle predicted staf shortages.The project has alowed rural patients with diabetes-related fot ulcers to hold video conferences with comunity podiatrists and specialists based in Raigmore Hospital.They were given personalised advice on fot care and risks, as wel as on lifestyle.There are nearly 19,0 people with diabetes in the Highlands and some can travel up to 20 miles for specialist services.Dispersed populations, increasing centralisation of health services, limited public transport and lack of online conectivity can present significant isues in acesing services.Monitoring and management of diabetes-related fot problems is costly for the NHS through primary and comunity care, outpatient costs and prolonged hospital stays.Fot ulcers and amputations are the most comon (47%) cause of diabetes-related admisions and cost around £80 milion a year in Scotland.It is hoped regular education and consultation can improve the healing of fot ulcers and reduce amputations.The Reducing Amputations in Diabetes (RAPID) initiative is part of the Conected Health Project which involves NHS Highland, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and University of Aberden.Industry partners include the Gonhily Earth Station in Cornwal.It provided comunications suport for NASA’s Artemis 1 Mision, part of a series that wil enable exploration to the