Telemedicine talk wins national award

NHS Orkney’s telemedicine service for rheumatology patients has won an award from the Scottish Society of Rheumatology.

A presentation on the service, which means better use of resources and enables people to be seen closer to home – the aim of the NHS in Scotland – was given by Dr Pradeep Kumar, and won the title of ‘Best Short Talk’.

Dr Kumar, who is based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, provides rheumatology assessment for Orkney patients via a telelink – the patient comes to Balfour Hospital and Dr Kumar gives his consultation from Aberdeen. The talk was prepared by Dr Kumar and Lesley Platford, NHS Orkney senior physiotherapist.

NHS Orkney’s Medical Director Marthinus Roos said: “NHS Orkney is proud of this development, as it shows that the service provided to the patients in Orkney is cutting edge, responsive to the needs of the patients and continues to improve the care provided.”