Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust have launched an innovative new service that allows clinicians from across the world to access world-leading health professionals from Alder Hey for a second opinion.
By using integrated and secure technology, Alder Hey’s Telehealth 2nd Opinion Service will facilitate a two-way, live interaction between families and clinicians from across the globe with world-class specialists, becoming one of the first paediatric hospitals in the UK to launch this type of service.
The project has developed in partnership with clinicians from Alder Hey and allows their experts to:
- Offer peer to peer advice to clinicians treating children and young people in other countries.
- Attend a virtual appointment with a clinician and patient and offer a link for the patient to access their appointment if they are unable to attend face to face.
- Access medical Electronic Patient Records to support the clinician to provide advice on a diagnosis and ongoing healthcare access a high-speed interpreter service with a selection of 65 languages, including sign language available at any time during the consultation.
Alfie Bass, Chief Medical Officer at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am very pleased to support the new Telehealth 2nd Opinion Service at Alder Hey. We are extremely proud of our excellent clinicians, many of whom are world leaders in their field. The Service will enable this expertise to be of benefit to improving the health and welfare of children around the world – a key aim of our organisation.
“Healthcare systems, particularly in developing countries, face serious challenges. Using technology to deliver health care has several benefits including cost savings, convenience and providing care to those in rural areas who can’t travel to a doctor or clinic.
“It also reduces the need for expensive and often difficult overseas travel. The patient benefits from being treated in their own country with familiar surroundings and local healthcare options.”
The Trust has a dedicated International Child Health Department that leverages the expertise of their clinicians in order to improve healthcare across the world and reduce health disparities.
The new 2nd Opinion Service will enable Alder Hey to continue with their pre-pandemic work that saw them help save lives and promote health in resource-poor countries by supporting research and service development.
More information on the new service is available here.
