THE latest developments in telehealth are among the topics that will be discussed at the second Rural Health Conference.

Organised by the Rural Health Network, the event will focus on developments in rural tele-health, diagnostics, tele-care, rural proofing, and commissioning rural health services.

The one-day event takes place atthe Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter, on 18 October.

It will also provide an opportunity to attend best practice workshops on a range of subjects of interest to clinical commissioning groups, clinicians, practitioners and partners of those involved in providing health and social care to rural communities.

The Rural Health Network (RHN) was established last November following a successful inaugural "Challenging Times" conference in Nottingham.

The 2013 Rural Health Network conference will take place at the Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club and Conference Centre, Sandy Park, Exeter.

It will be chaired by Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services.

The keynote address will be given by Professor James Ferguson, clinical lead of the Scottish Telehealth Centre.

He will look at what England can learn from Scotland's experience in effectively deploying telehealth to rural communities.

Workshops will give delegates an opportunity to hear the latest on the DEFRA rural proofing toolkit and issues relating to rural health resourcing.

A telecommunications exhibition trailer will demonstrate the latest products and services that can be deployed to support effective health service development and innovation.

The health network was established so public health, health and social care professionals can share best practice about delivering high quality services to rural communities.

It also seeks to represent the case for a better deal for rural provision in health services and rural proofing in policy making.

The network acts as a means of exchanging useful, relevant and thought-provoking information in order to enable improved public health and health services delivery.

Full details, including how to book delegate places, are contained in the conference programme.
(To download a word version of the programme click here).