Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 May 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 19 May 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research the Government has done into the risks associated with telemedicine. - Inc ref to http://www.disco.port.ac.uk/ictri/ and www.tis.bl.uk.

Answer: Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research the Government have done into the risks associated with telemedicine. [111021] Mr. Hutton: The Department has an extensive programme of research into all aspects of health care, including telecare and telehealthcare. Specific major projects on telecare and telehealthcare include an economic evaluation carried out by the Health Economic Research Group in the area of paediatrics, and a `virtual outreach' study by the Health Technology Assessment Programme. Clinical effectiveness and patient safety are, of course, paramount concerns, and before any new medical technology is used, it must, as a minimum, comply with UK and European regulations for medical devices, and with clinical protocols agreed with the relevant professional bodies. Details of Department of Health research programmes are published online at: http://www. disco.port.ac.uk/ictri/ The Department also supports the Telemedicine Information Service (www.tis.bl.uk), which covers telemedicine and telecare research and development projects.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 111021; 405 c619W;405 c617W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: ICT Health hazards Telecommunications Technology Research Telemedicine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk