Emergency care modernization through telemedicine technology
The Bergisches Land region, encompassing the Ennepe-Ruhr district, Mettmann district, and the cities of Remscheid, Solingen, Wuppertal, and Leverkusen, is set to witness a significant advancement in emergency care with the introduction of a new telemedicine doctor system.
Last fall, the first planning meeting for the technical implementation of this system was held at the main fire and rescue station in Leverkusen. The system is intended as an addition to existing emergency concepts, aiming to enhance and streamline emergency care for the region's citizens.
Germany, as a whole, is embracing digital health and telemedicine as part of a broader healthcare digitization effort. The country is currently undergoing a major healthcare digital transition, with significant milestones such as the rollout of electronic patient records (ePA) scheduled around October 2025. This infrastructure could provide a supportive backbone for telemedicine systems like the one being developed in Bergisches Land.
The Bergisches Land telemedicine system is being developed in a "ramp-up phase" and will be expanded in stages. Initially, two rescue vehicles per administrative body will be equipped with the necessary technology, and the control centers of Mettmann district and Leverkusen city will be fitted with state-of-the-art technology.
The system is being developed with strong partners, and the planning phase involves creating a project structure and timeline for system setup, training, and commissioning. Doctors for the telemedicine doctor service will be trained and further qualified.
While the exact progress and operational launch date of the telemedicine doctor system in Bergisches Land are not yet confirmed, it is likely that the system is either ongoing or in advanced planning stages, aligning with Germany’s nationwide healthcare digitalization timeline. By spring 2025, the system is expected to go live in real operation.
In emergencies, a telemedicine doctor can support local emergency services and make decisions about immediate clinical treatment. Rescue vehicles of the six participating administrative bodies will also be equipped with technology for telemedicine doctor operation.
Hermann Greven, head of the Leverkusen fire department, believes that the Bergisches Land telemedicine system will improve emergency care for citizens. As the system progresses, it is anticipated to grow with real-time video consultations, remote monitoring, and integration with AI, in line with broader telemedicine developments in Germany.
For up-to-date and location-specific information, consulting official sources such as local health authorities in the Ennepe-Ruhr and Mettmann districts or the respective city administrations of Remscheid, Solingen, Wuppertal, and Leverkusen would be recommended.
Science and technology are playing crucial roles in the enhancement of health and wellness in Germany, as demonstrated by the development of a telemedicine system in the Bergisches Land region. Medical-conditions in emergencies will potentially be addressed more efficiently with the integration of AI and real-time video consultations in this telemedicine system.
