Tánaiste welcomes new advances in health care

New advances in health care that could lead to doctors around the world sharing information to provide the best possible care have been welcomed by Mary Harney.

“Telemedicine” was the main topic of conversation at today’s meeting of the British Irish Council in the Isle of Man.

The technology would link centres of excellence to rural and regional hospitals, allowing them to share expertise.

Brain scans could be sent from Donegal to New York under the system.

Speaking in the Isle of Man, the Minister for Health gave her full support to the initiative.

“Essentially we are talking about using technology to deliver services in remote areas. St Luke’s Hospital in Dublin for example connects through technology to a big cancer centre in Belfast and also into the US, again being able to share expertise with the best clinicians.” Ms Harney said.