e-Health (formerly known as Telemedicine)

Lead Administration – Isle of Man

At the Second British-Irish Council Summit meeting in November 2001 it was agreed that the Isle of Man would take the lead on and progress work in the area of health, in particular, the application of telemedicine, i.e. the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by the use of telecommunications technology.                                                                     

The Isle of Man, in consultation with other Member Administrations, has been actively considering a number of key issues related to telemedicine within the British-Irish Council. Officials have met frequently to exchange information on developments and best practice in this developing area. Full details of the work which has taken place in this sector up to the end of 2003 can be found in the BIC Report.

In May 2005, the Isle of Man hosted a BIC Summit focusing on telemedicine and its potential to modernise the delivery of health and social care. The Council noted that telemedicine offers a unique way to address issues facing all BIC Member Administrations, including in delivering health and social care to rural and remote communities.  It was agreed at the Summit meeting that officials would carry forward work in a number of specific areas.

Click here to view the Communiqué issued following the May 2005 Summit meeting on telemedicine.

Click here to view the discussion paper considered at the May 2005 Summit. 

The group continues to meet at official level to take forward the recommendations of the Summit.  Work going forward will focus on addressing issues relating to interoperable technical standards, a relevant clinical governance framework, appropriate protocols for the secure electronic exchange of confidential data, and quality standards for telemedicine and e-health information on the internet.

The application of information technology in healthcare has continued to develop since the group’s inception in 2002 and has become internationally recognised and understood as a component of the wider topic of e-health.  Accordingly, the BIC Summit in London in June 2006 approved a proposal to change the name of the group from Telemedicine to e-Health.