FIBRE broadband may just be what the doctor ordered in Mauchline.

Thanks to the new long-awaited super-fast broadband speeds, the village can now receive 'tele-healthcare.’ This allows patients’ health to be monitored at home, via an internet-connected pod. A number of vital signs, traditionally measured during a face to face consultation can be measured remotely. Examples include blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, temperature and weight.

Among the first to benefit are the residents of Ellisland Court on Jean Armour Drive who are now able to use Community Health Pods or 'tele healthcare’.

The tenants of the East Ayrshire Council-run complex are using the pods to monitor long term and chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Their results are then sent directly to the GP’s surgery where they are analysed, helping save time and money for both patients and doctors.

Resident Robert “Nicky” Nicholas has begun using the new system.

He said: “I’m really pleased to have this pod here. We already have exercise classes and weight monitoring clinics which are open to the local community so we’re used to taking some responsibility for and working to keep healthy, but this is a great idea.

“For me it means I don’t have to make appointments for routine checks and take up surgery time which could be used by others. It’s here on my doorstep and I can use it whenever necessary. For people who are less mobile and have difficulty getting out and about it will be a godsend.” Anne Fisher, Public Health Nurse from the Keep Well Team said: “Regular monitoring of issues such as blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and lung function can make a huge difference to the long term health of people with chronic conditions.

“For many local residents having this facility on the doorstep will enable them to have these checks more regularly and at their own convenience.

“At the same time we will also be able to use the pods to give them targeted messages about their health and wellbeing and they can use the system to access further information about Council and NHS services and facilities.” BENEFITS The Community Pods, which will be rolled out to community hubs throughout East Ayrshire in the coming months, are maintained by Kilmarnock based company Microtech, which provides professional IT Support and Maintenance to a wide range of clients in the private and public sectors.

Leader of East Ayrshire Council, Councillor Douglas Reid said: “This is a great example of partnership working in practice, making a real difference to local people. The launch involves our health and social care team, the Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, BT, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Kilmarnock firm Microtech and the local GP practice.” Councillor Reid, who chairs the Shadow Integration Board, overseeing the integration of health and social care services in East Ayrshire, added: “Being able to roll out these pods in the heart of our communities is one of many tangible benefits of superfast broadband which will make a real difference to peoples’ lives.” The new infrastructure installed by BT engineers will mean that more than 4,500 residents in Cumnock, Mauchline and, in the coming weeks, New Cumnock will be able to access download speeds of up to 80mbps, allowing multiple users in a home or business to access the internet and download and share large files at the same time and more quickly than ever before.

James McClafferty, BT Scotland partnership director, said: “It’s great to see fibre broadband arriving in Mauchline, after months of behind-the-scenes planning.

“It’s one of the first communities in Scotland to benefit from the Digital Scotland superfast broadband partnership, with many more to follow. We hope local people and businesses will welcome this milestone and will enjoy making the most of the technology.” The fibre connection at Mauchline is one of the first of a programme of installations throughout Ayrshire from the £410 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband partnership designed to extend fibre broadband access to areas of Scotland which would not otherwise be served commercially. East Ayrshire Council has contributed £1.2 million towards the project.