A new project aiming to provide medical advice via video technology has started in eastern Bay of Plenty.
The Opotiki Telehealth project is said to be the start of a long-term solution to what the Bay of Plenty District Health Board says is the challenge of serving remote communities.
Opotiki District Council deputy mayor Haki McRoberts says there are benefits in telemedicine for the Te Kaha community including cutting travel and costs.
He says the only drawback from the new technology would come from patients needing to provide personal information.
Project facilitator Ernie Newman says the project involves video-conferencing between patients and clinicians, getting second opinions by video or remote monitoring.
The project is also to be rolled out across the Midlands Region.
