Kent County Council's two year pilot programme on testing effectiveness of gadgets targeting heart and lung conditions and diabetes among older people living alone have delivered savings of £7.5 million each year while providing extra years of priceless independence and dignity for users.
If similar telecare services are rolled out across England and Wales, local authorities could save upto £270 Million according to the Local Government Association (LGA). After several years piloting new technologies, town halls are now rolling out schemes in full and reaping huge savings - from the electronic pill dispenser which saves thousands of pounds a year to the personal satellite locator which reduces day care costs by £250 a week.
"Investing in technology like this has been proven to reduce the need for hospital admission, GP referral, home help, day care and residential care," Cllr David Rogers, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said before adding, "this saves taxpayers’ money in the long term at a time when the demand for adult care is rising and funding is falling".
"New technology helps deliver round-the-clock support to users, allowing them to manage their own health budgets, ensuring timely and preventative care, and peace of mind for them and their loved ones," he added.
The Kent County Council pilot project was the largest of its kind in Europe where the County council worked with health trusts to deliver the services to pensioners. vast savings were made through reduced hospital admissions, accident and emergency, bed days of care, home visits and GP contact. When the reduced costs were expanded across all areas of health, it estimated an annual saving of £7.5 million.
North Yorkshire County Council has saved more than £1 Million on residential care by providing telecare services to 12,000 users.
Blackpool Council’s Vitaline service is one the country’s most advanced 24-hour telehealth monitoring and response centres and provides care, reassurance and protection to thousands of residents. This has reduced hospital admissions by 75% and GP contact by 85%.
Cllr Rogers added:
“Councils have been the trailblazers with telecare and telehealth and the whole of society is now reaping the benefits. But this is only part of the solution. Also essential if we’re to manage our ageing population is improved public health, leisure and transport schemes, and more adaptable housing. And what will never happen if technology is being seen as a replacement for human contact, nothing is more vital to keep older people independent and happy.”
If similar telecare services are rolled out across England and Wales, local authorities could save upto £270 Million according to the Local Government Association (LGA). After several years piloting new technologies, town halls are now rolling out schemes in full and reaping huge savings - from the electronic pill dispenser which saves thousands of pounds a year to the personal satellite locator which reduces day care costs by £250 a week.
"Investing in technology like this has been proven to reduce the need for hospital admission, GP referral, home help, day care and residential care," Cllr David Rogers, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said before adding, "this saves taxpayers’ money in the long term at a time when the demand for adult care is rising and funding is falling".
"New technology helps deliver round-the-clock support to users, allowing them to manage their own health budgets, ensuring timely and preventative care, and peace of mind for them and their loved ones," he added.
The Kent County Council pilot project was the largest of its kind in Europe where the County council worked with health trusts to deliver the services to pensioners. vast savings were made through reduced hospital admissions, accident and emergency, bed days of care, home visits and GP contact. When the reduced costs were expanded across all areas of health, it estimated an annual saving of £7.5 million.
North Yorkshire County Council has saved more than £1 Million on residential care by providing telecare services to 12,000 users.
Blackpool Council’s Vitaline service is one the country’s most advanced 24-hour telehealth monitoring and response centres and provides care, reassurance and protection to thousands of residents. This has reduced hospital admissions by 75% and GP contact by 85%.
Cllr Rogers added:
“Councils have been the trailblazers with telecare and telehealth and the whole of society is now reaping the benefits. But this is only part of the solution. Also essential if we’re to manage our ageing population is improved public health, leisure and transport schemes, and more adaptable housing. And what will never happen if technology is being seen as a replacement for human contact, nothing is more vital to keep older people independent and happy.”
No comments:
Post a Comment