Monitoring Health from Home
Released by: THE HON PETER McGAURAN MP
MINISTER FOR SCIENCE DEPUTY LEADER OF THE HOUSE
Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
T: (02) 6277 7440 F: (02) 6273 7330 E:
peter.mcgauran.mp@aph.gov.au
18 May 2004
Patients recovering from strokes will be able to monitor their progress at home following the launch of a world-leading research centre in Queensland today.
Australian Government Science Minister Peter McGauran today launched the e-Health Research Centre, and congratulated the researchers for the improvement in quality of life that their research is providing patients, particularly in country Australia.
"The research being undertaken at the Centre overcomes many of the difficulties in health care delivery that patients in rural and regional Australia deal with," Minister McGauran said.
"The Australian Government has contributed $7.6 million to this collaboration between the CSIRO and Queensland researchers to develop world class health information and increasing public access to it.
"The research will provide information on prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of medical conditions making sure that all Australians are receiving the highest quality health care.
"One of the main focuses of the Centre is improving patient's access to health information in areas of critical health such as stroke and cancer," Minister McGauran said.
The Centre will combine the CSIRO's expertise in e-health with the extensive tele-health network and e-health experience currently available in Queensland.
During his visit to Queensland Minister McGauran also toured the CSIRO Marine Research Lab in Cleveland.
The Marine Research Lab conducts research on the Great Barrier Reef, Northern Prawn Fishery and fish resources with Papua New Guinea.
"The research being undertaken at the Marine Research Lab provides essential data on maintaining the biodiversity and environmental sustainability of Australia's reefs and marine life," Minister McGauran said.