Waikato District Health Board has put an end to its SmartHealth service after a two-year trial, citing a lack of take-up, the technology's failure to reduce attendances at ED and the DHB's precarious financial situation for deciding not to renew the $NZ7.2 million a year contract.
SmartHealth, originally called Virtual DHB, trialled the use of the US-developed HealthTap app to provide free out of hours online consultations with hospital doctors and outpatient consultations with specialists through the app.
Waikato DHB interim chief executive Derek Wright said hospital doctors will still provide telehealth services through the more traditional vehicle of video conferencing between consultants in Waikato Hospital and patients in rural hospitals.
