Feasibility study into setting up national ASEAN Telemedicine Centre in Perth

23/1/95

Doctors and hospitals throughout the Asia-Pacific region will have ready access to top-level Australian medical advice through sophisticated computer links, if a proposed national telemedicine centre receives the go-ahead.

A $170,000 feasibility study into establishing a National ASEAN Telemedicine Centre in Perth was announced today by Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Senator Peter Cook, Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan and Computer Power Group executive director Colin Leman.

The study is being funded jointly by the Perth-based Computer Power Group ($70,000), the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Technology ($50,000) and Western Australia's Department of Commerce and Trade ($50,000).

Senator Cook said that if the proposal proceeded it would position Australia as the regional leader for telemedicine services.

Mr Cowan said the telemedicine centre - the first of its kind on such a scale in the world - would eventually require an investment of $12 million.

The centre would operate as a communications hub, receiving requests for consultation and advice on X-rays and CT scans and seeking help from Australian medical staff.  Advice would be returned via computer line.

WA companies, with Computer Power, would provide the technology support for telemedicine services linking Australian hospitals with those in Singapore and South-East Asia.

The centre would automatically bill doctors and hospitals which sought advice and charge an administration fee.

"This has the potential to bring a huge amount of consulting work to Australia," Senator Cook said.

"A telemedicine centre would be a boon for doctors and hospitals throughout Asia unable to access such resources in their own towns and countries.

"As well as saving lives, the centre would showcase Australia's technological and clinical capabilities."

Computer Power Group executive director Colin Leman said the group had been planning a telemedicine strategy for Australia for almost two years.

The proposal had already attracted interest from the Singapore Institute of Systems Science and Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

"Computer Power is committed to providing this technology for the benefit of the Australian health-care profession and Australian exports," Mr Leman said.

"The vision of the Federal and WA Governments will be rewarded by their support for this feasibility study."

Mr Cowan added that WA led the world in broadband computer services and the ASEAN centre would provide a commercial basis for using these systems.

"More WA technology companies, research centres and tertiary institutions could become involved in providing a telemedicine network throughout Asia," he said.

Media contact:  Will Henwood 2229595 or 041 9901500

Don Mackay (Senator Cook's office) 06-2777580

Daniel Duffy (Computer Power) 4810488