BROADBAND internet will drastically improve aged care treatment in regional centres and help people avoid going into nursing homes, the Aged Care Association of Australia says.ACAA chief executive Rod Young said older people in regional centres would see the biggest health benefits of online technology.Mr Young said video-link medical consultations being introduced in parts of the country this week could help aged patients remain independent. “The National Broadband Network is moving aged care in to the future, changing the way patients can be treated,” he said.“Bendigo and other regional areas are in the best position to take advantage of the technology. “Remote monitoring and telehealth technologies will cut down people’s travel times and costs, and help sustain their independence.” The federal government announced yesterday there would be further trials of the NBN’s telehealth program; a video-link system offering an alternative to face-to-face medical check-ups.Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said older patients would benefit the most from the new technology.“Expanding telehealth services to older Australians still living in their own homes will help health professionals identify potential health problems earlier, reduce the need for older Australians to travel to receive treatment and increase access to healthcare services and specialists,” he said.Mr Young said video consultations would help people avoid going into aged care facilities.“Demand for aged care places will grow nationally to about 500,00 people. But with broadband capabilities and earlier treatment, it might only grow to 400,000.”Bendigo Health director of nursing and residential services Marlene Connaughton said online technology had changed the way aged care homes operated.She said the computers on wheels, which doctors take straight to patients’ bedsides, had transformed its information storage system.“It’s straight into the computer, which makes it a simpler way to check medical records,” she said.Executive director of Bendigo Health Information services and chair of the NBN committee Bruce Winzar said higher speed broadband would improve specialist care. “The NBN will bring the scarce resource of aged care specialists to patients, particularly in remote and regional facilities,” he said.