Utilising Video and Teleconferencing Technology in the NHS

Fiona SimonEnergy Saving Trust28th October, 2011

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Reducing the need to travel

Patient journeys

“Telehealth” can improve access to healthcare services nationwide, particularly for those patients living in remote areas.

Business journeys

Reduce the number of meetings and conferences attended by using technology.

Benefits

• Reduce carbon emissions

• Save time

• Save money

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Travel hierarchy

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Conference calling• Uses only audio technology to communicate

• No specialist equipment required - can be organised using standard phones

• Multiple users in different locations

• Can be low cost as many in-house telephone system may already support conference calling

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Video-conferencing• Uses broadband telephone, fast data, wireless or satellite

connections

• Provides both audio and video

• Can be a conversation between two people in private offices (point-to-point) or involve several sites (multi-point) with groups of people in large rooms at different locations.

• Videoconferencing systems range in price from around £200 to £200,000 depending on their size and features.

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Web conferencing• Uses the internet to conduct live meetings or

presentations, providing both live pictures and sound.

• Attendees can sit at their own computer for the meeting

• Monthly subscriptions or pay-per-use services.

• Web conferencing is low-cost as it uses existing connections and standard office computers. You may need to purchase a web camera and a PC headset.

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Our experience• Organise regular webinars to disseminate information on

travel planning.

• Use Citrix GoToWebinar software which allows up to 100 attendees to join an online session with multiple speakers all in different locations.

• Cost effective approx. £800 for a licence.

• Easy to use.

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Our experienceThe webinars have so far saved:

• Over 33,000 kilometers from being travelled.

• Over 6,000 kgCO2 in emissions (if all participants had instead travelled by car).

• Saved organisations a total of £8,910 in expenses claims (if they paid 45p/mile for car journeys).

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Our experienceQuotes from participants:

‘This was the first webinar I have taken part in and was most impressed. The clarity of sound was excellent and so was the content of the speaker’s presentations.  I will definitely take part in more webinar events and think this will be the way forward due to the current financial restraints.’

‘Not only did I find the webinar extremely useful but was also impressed by the ease of participation (even for a technophobe like me!!)’

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How can EST help?Low Carbon Transport Loan

• EST’s interest free loans of £500 to £50,000 can help all organisations including government, businesses and the public sector in Scotland.

• Funded by Transport Scotland, the scheme aims to support organisations that want to reduce the carbon impact and fuel costs of their transport and travel arrangements.

• The loan can be used to purchase any tele-conferencing, video conferencing or web conferencing facilities.

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How can EST help?Grey fleet reviews

Recommend improvements for managing your grey fleet, encouraging the alternatives such as video conferencing and pool cars.

www.chooseanotherway.com

Resources and information on reducing the need to travel.

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Any questions?

Fiona SimonEnergy Saving Trust

0131 555 7907fiona.simon@est.org.uk

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