Telehealth and Telecare Concordat launches

‘3 million lives’ will extend the reach of telehealth and telecare, to improve the lives of many people with long term conditions and social care needs.

Paul Burstow MP, Minister of State for Care Services has re-affirmed his commitment to working with industry to improve the lives of millions of people by publishing a Concordat with the four trade associations representing the telehealth and telecare industry. ‘3millionlives’ is about transforming service delivery for people with long term conditions, and/or social care needs, by utilising telehealth and telecare within health and social care services, enabling millions of people to receive the significant benefits evidenced in the UK’s Whole System Demonstrator trials (the largest randomised control trial of telecare and telehealth in the world). The trials resulted in: A 15% reduction in A&E visits; A 20% reduction in emergency admissions, A 14% reduction in elective admissions A striking 45% reduction in mortality rates.

But the benefits are not just related to the individual recipient and their families. These services are also cost-effective, and the WSD trial proved that telehealth could provide a 14% reduction in bed days and an 8% reduction in tariff costs – significant indeed with our increasingly aged population and the inevitable impact on already stretched resources. Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: "This new approach is set to improve the quality of care for 3 million people, increase their independence and dignity as well as reduce the time they spend in hospital. It is only by the telehealth industry working together with the Department of Health and other stakeholders, that this will be possible. In addition, UK industry will gain a competitive edge in a marketplace where many millions of people worldwide could benefit from this technology, helping to generate income and jobs in the UK"

This is good news for individuals and also for the economy. The UK is a world-leader on the development and delivery of telehealth and telecare technology assisted services – and the world will be watching 3millionlives with great interest. The four industry trade associations: Telecare Services Association (TSA), the largest telecare and telehealth specific industry body in Europe, representing over 340 organisations; Intellect, representing the IT sector; Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), the industry association for the UK medical technology sector ;and Medilink UK, the life sciences industry organisation with specific interest in telehealth and telecare, have been working with the Department of Health to pull together the initial plans for 3millionlives. The first post-launch stakeholder meeting is scheduled, and there is already wide support from a range of stakeholders including RCN, RCGP, NHS Confederation and patient and carers representatives. Angela Single, Chair of the 3millionlives Working Group stated, "Industry is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to overcome the barriers that have so far prevented the NHS from fully adopting telehealth and telecare. This unique partnership-led campaign between health and social care, a world-leading industry and representatives of patients and service-users will provide the impetus needed to make a real difference – any changes to service delivery takes time, but time is not on our side as we are faced with an aging population who should be benefitting now from telehealth and telecare services that have been proven to work."

The 3millonlives website is now live, and anyone who is interested in finding out more, or how to become involved, can find details HERE