They argue that the greater bandwidth of Labor’s fibre to the premises (FTTP) plan is necessary for the effective provision of teleHealth – using the Internet for remote diagnostics and monitoring and the like.
The letter comes some two days after the Vertigan panel on the NBN’s cost-effectiveness concluded that an FTTP network would be much less cost-effective than the Coalition’s ‘multi technology mix’ model.
The main criticism of Vertigan’s findings is that its conclusions are made on assumptions about the future value of broadband services, when we cannot put a value on applications we cannot know about. The Vertigan report assumes the Internet will be used much as it is now, while the open letter explores one specific class of new applications - teleHealth
To the Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull
We are writing to outline the importance of FTTP broadband for the future of technologies which benefit older Australians, in particular teleHealth. On behalf of older Australians, and those living in remote, rural and regional parts of Australia, I urge you to reconsider your preferred National Broadband Network model.
It is unfortunate that the debate concerning the relative merits of respective NBN models has rarely touched on the fact that older Australians will benefit enormously from superior broadband connections. The NBN is not just for the young and tech-savvy. As you know, it has the potential to be a ground-breaking infrastructure achievement with health and related applications that will change the lives of older Australians.
An ageing population should not be considered a burden - the fact that Australians are living longer is something we should always be thankful for and proud of. However, a population with a greater percentage of older people requiring care and support presents challenges. Health costs increase with medical advances and the growing level of complexity of conditions and treatment.
Older people experience a range of chronic and complex issues and there is growing pressure on our health and aged care systems. An important way of ensuring that an ageing population receives sufficient care and support in the coming decades is by advancing teleHealth. TeleHealth is more than iPad and flat screen monitors. It is about using cutting edge technology to improve communication channels between carers, clinicians, service providers and the person being cared for.
It is about improving the integrity of and access to medical records. It is about sophisticated one-on-one consultations and examinations via high definition monitors and cameras. As you know, the technology exists to expand remote, high-resolution consultations, examinations and diagnosis. However, bandwidth requirements are high and will only going to get higher as the technology improves.
In order for teleHealth to reach its full potential, it is vital that older Australians have access to fast, reliable, medical-grade broadband. The Abbott Government’s Fibre-To-The-Node model will not guarantee many older people access to such a connection. Even if a local GP can afford to have FTTP broadband by extending the connection from the node, many of their patients will not. Put simply, teleHealth consultations will not be possible unless both the medical professional and the receiver of healthcare both have a 21st century broadband connection. This is why FTTP broadband is essential to improving the health outcomes of our ageing population.
TeleHealth will allow many older Australians to stay at home, if this is what they choose. What this means is that many older people can live where they want, where they feel comfortable and continue to receive high quality health advice and care.
Expanding teleHealth also presents the opportunity for significant savings. One trial from Feros Care discovered that the cost of daily teleHealth supervision per day was seven dollars and fourteen cents while the average acute hospital bed cost $967 dollars per day to operate. An investment in a world-class broadband network will provide affordable and sustainable health services for more older Australians across the nation; especially in remote, rural and regional communities.
I strongly urge you to embrace FTTP, which could have significant benefits to the nation beyond the provision of superior entertainment systems and faster downloads. FTTP will deliver medical-grade broadband connections, which will revolutionise the way we care for older Australians and those living in remote, rural and regional communities.
I trust that you will make every effort to liaise with your colleagues including Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews and Assistant Social Services Minister Mitch Fifield to discuss how teleHealth can be enhanced and do your part by delivering 21st century broadband infrastructure.
My colleagues and I are more than willing to be part of efforts to advance FTTP broadband.
Yours sincerely
Shayne Neumann, MP. Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, and for Ageing
Senator Helen Polley. Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care
