All of New Zealand's 39 rural public hospitals and integrated family health centres are now able to access to high-speed broadband.

Rolled out under the Government's Rural Broadband Initiative, the hospitals and integrated health centres are all now able to connect to fibre capable of peak speeds of at least 100 Mbps

Paediatrician Dr John Goldsmith and Waikato Hospital beaming themselves into the Thames Hospital via the Waikato District Health Board's Telehealth system earlier this year. Photo:File

In the Coromandel the rollout has included the Thames Birthing Unit and Thames Hospital. While further afield, it also includes Pohlen Hospital in Matamata, Te Aroha Hospital and Hamilton's Tamahere Hospital and Healing Centre.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says faster broadband enables healthcare to be delivered in new and innovative ways.

'These e-Health solutions offer better, safer, more efficient healthcare closer to home. A good example of this is Telehealth,” Jonathan explains.

'This technology enables patients to be seen by their health professional remotely which improves health monitoring, lowers healthcare costs, and gives more flexibility to patients and health professionals.”

Telehealth also enables health practitioners around the country to easily discuss cases and exchange information with colleagues all over the world, Jonathan adds.

Communications Minister Amy Adams says the Government is now focused on extending RBI to as many Kiwis as possible.

'We've allocated an extra $100 million to expand the Rural Broadband programme as well as $50m to improve mobile coverage in black spot areas along main highways and in popular tourist destinations.

'We've also got a bold 2025 target for rural broadband and are proud to be putting rural connectivity at the heart of our regional economy development strategy,” adds Amy.

BENEFITS OF HIGH SPEED INTERNET FOR HEALTHCARE:

• Real-time transmission of medical imagery, enabling the interpretation of MRI, ultrasound, X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures to be performed remotely
• Video conferencing between doctors, specialists and patients allowing for remote diagnoses and faster delivery of care
• Remote monitoring and online consultations which would lead to a reduction in strenuous patient transfers
• Physicians able to connect with distant specialists for real-time guidance in emergency situations
• Significant time reduction for administration tasks which will make the patient's journey through the health system more efficient.

Thames Hospital clinical director Dr Ruth Large explaining to Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman how the hospital's Telehealth system is used to improve patients' health outcomes and journeys earlier this year. Photo: File