Monday, 20 December 2010
Friday, 17 December 2010
What Is a Lone Worker?
The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) define lone workers as “those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision”.
Most employees will work alone at some point - even if it is being the first or the last person in the office, locking up the shopping Mall, or responding as a key holder to your premises.
- Are your lone workers at risk from being attacked or being verbally abused by customers?
- Are they providing a service to the community?
- Are they instructed by you to meet any one on your behalf alone?
- Do they lock up or respond to your premises alone?
Employed lone workers
If you employ lone workers, you have the same responsibilities for their health and safety as for any other employees. You may, however, need to take extra precautions to ensure that lone workers are at no greater risk than your other employees.
Lone workers may be affected by many of the same health and safety risks as other workers. But there are potential risks which are more likely to affect lone workers, therefore you should:
- Ensure lone workers have no medical conditions which may make them unsuitable for the lone-working role they have been assigned.
- Be aware that some tasks may be too difficult or dangerous to be carried out by an unaccompanied worker.
- Provide some level of supervision - such as regular visits - for lone workers.
- Put contact procedures in place for emergencies so that the alarm can be raised and prompt medical attention provided if there is an accident.
- Make provision for Lone Workers - from fast-food delivery drivers to security personnel - who may be faced with a risk of violence.
- Check whether there are specific legal requirements for your lone workers.
Most employees will work alone at some point - even if it is being the first or the last person in the office, locking up the shopping Mall, or responding as a key holder to your premises.
- Are your lone workers at risk from being attacked or being verbally abused by customers?
- Are they providing a service to the community?
- Are they instructed by you to meet any one on your behalf alone?
- Do they lock up or respond to your premises alone?
Employed lone workers
If you employ lone workers, you have the same responsibilities for their health and safety as for any other employees. You may, however, need to take extra precautions to ensure that lone workers are at no greater risk than your other employees.
Lone workers may be affected by many of the same health and safety risks as other workers. But there are potential risks which are more likely to affect lone workers, therefore you should:
- Ensure lone workers have no medical conditions which may make them unsuitable for the lone-working role they have been assigned.
- Be aware that some tasks may be too difficult or dangerous to be carried out by an unaccompanied worker.
- Provide some level of supervision - such as regular visits - for lone workers.
- Put contact procedures in place for emergencies so that the alarm can be raised and prompt medical attention provided if there is an accident.
- Make provision for Lone Workers - from fast-food delivery drivers to security personnel - who may be faced with a risk of violence.
- Check whether there are specific legal requirements for your lone workers.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Telecare and telehealth guide from Counsel and Care
Counsel and Care (the national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support) has launched a new guide on telehealth and telecare. Informing readers of what it is and how to get it.
Developed together with Tunstall, the guide is available here.
Developed together with Tunstall, the guide is available here.
Lone NHS workers get personal alarms
Hundreds of NHS staff in Gwent who work alone or away from colleagues, are being given an alarm device to boost their safety and security.
The device is part of a one-way mobile phone system supported by a GPS tracking programme.
When the device is activated, an alarm is raised at a constantly manned centre from where the member of staff can be located, and the police can be alerted if it is believed their safety is under threat.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board staff who work alone - such as many people who work in community services or in mental health - are being given the device.
Evidence obtained from the devices will be used to pursue action against people who attack or abuse them.
The Argus reported yesterday that prosecutions of people using violence or aggression toward NHS staff are on the rise, backed up where possible by CCTV evidence, as in recent cases involving incidents at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
With 15,000 employees the health board is Gwent's largest employer, and with staff employed far and wide in providing a range of services that require them to work alone, board chiefs want to make sure they are adequately protected and supported.
"We are committed to preventing violence and aggression against staff, patients and visitors both on our premises and in the community," said Jan Smith, director of therapies and health sciences, and the health board's champion for violence and aggression.
"Whilst the vast majority of patients and relatives treat staff with respect, there are instances when for a variety of reasons lone staff are at risk.
"These alarms will help to ensure the safety of both the staff member and the patients in their care.
"Through the purchase of these devices, the health board can provide further support to our lone workers and demonstrate our strong commitment to enhance staff security."
The new system is part of an all-Wales project part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The device is part of a one-way mobile phone system supported by a GPS tracking programme.
When the device is activated, an alarm is raised at a constantly manned centre from where the member of staff can be located, and the police can be alerted if it is believed their safety is under threat.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board staff who work alone - such as many people who work in community services or in mental health - are being given the device.
Evidence obtained from the devices will be used to pursue action against people who attack or abuse them.
The Argus reported yesterday that prosecutions of people using violence or aggression toward NHS staff are on the rise, backed up where possible by CCTV evidence, as in recent cases involving incidents at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
With 15,000 employees the health board is Gwent's largest employer, and with staff employed far and wide in providing a range of services that require them to work alone, board chiefs want to make sure they are adequately protected and supported.
"We are committed to preventing violence and aggression against staff, patients and visitors both on our premises and in the community," said Jan Smith, director of therapies and health sciences, and the health board's champion for violence and aggression.
"Whilst the vast majority of patients and relatives treat staff with respect, there are instances when for a variety of reasons lone staff are at risk.
"These alarms will help to ensure the safety of both the staff member and the patients in their care.
"Through the purchase of these devices, the health board can provide further support to our lone workers and demonstrate our strong commitment to enhance staff security."
The new system is part of an all-Wales project part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Invicta Telecare collects TSA award
Invicta Telecare collected its European Technical Specification Award at the Telecare Services Association’s (TSA) prestigious annual National Telecare and Telehealth conference held in London.
Wendy Turner, head of Invicta Telecare was presented the award in recognition of becoming the first organisation in the UK to achieve the European Standard in Social Alarm Monitoring services, and only the second to achieve it in the module for Response, through the TSA.
Wendy commented: “We are so proud of our achievements and feel this award is a wonderful endorsement of our services and a reflection of the great strides we have made since we opened our monitoring centre in 1986. Back then we provided a community alarm service to 300 residents for Group partner Russet, and employed just a handful of operators based in one small office at Larkfield in West Malling.
“Today our 24 hour 365 day service responds to an average of almost 4000 calls a day and employs close to 200 staff based at three offices. We provide services to around 150 different organisations including local authorities, housing associations, charities, private organisations as well as around 3000 individual customers.”
Wendy Turner, head of Invicta Telecare was presented the award in recognition of becoming the first organisation in the UK to achieve the European Standard in Social Alarm Monitoring services, and only the second to achieve it in the module for Response, through the TSA.
Wendy commented: “We are so proud of our achievements and feel this award is a wonderful endorsement of our services and a reflection of the great strides we have made since we opened our monitoring centre in 1986. Back then we provided a community alarm service to 300 residents for Group partner Russet, and employed just a handful of operators based in one small office at Larkfield in West Malling.
“Today our 24 hour 365 day service responds to an average of almost 4000 calls a day and employs close to 200 staff based at three offices. We provide services to around 150 different organisations including local authorities, housing associations, charities, private organisations as well as around 3000 individual customers.”
Friday, 10 December 2010
Charge for day care services
DURHAM County Council wants to start charging for day care services.
Durham County Council chiefs are consulting on introducing a means-tested charging system.
They say the proposals would bring day care users in line with people receiving residential care, home care, extra care and telecare.
People can currently attend day care centres in the county for free, although some do contribute to transport costs.
Graham Bainbrige, the council’s head of finance for adults, wellbeing and health, said: “Our current policy of providing some services at subsidised rates and others free of charge is not fair, equal or consistent.”
The council has launched a 12- week consultation, ending on Friday, February 11. For details, visit durham.gov.uk/consultation, call 0191-383-5217 or visit a library.
Durham County Council chiefs are consulting on introducing a means-tested charging system.
They say the proposals would bring day care users in line with people receiving residential care, home care, extra care and telecare.
People can currently attend day care centres in the county for free, although some do contribute to transport costs.
Graham Bainbrige, the council’s head of finance for adults, wellbeing and health, said: “Our current policy of providing some services at subsidised rates and others free of charge is not fair, equal or consistent.”
The council has launched a 12- week consultation, ending on Friday, February 11. For details, visit durham.gov.uk/consultation, call 0191-383-5217 or visit a library.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Snow stops UK but not Invicta Telecare
Airports shut down, trains stopped and offices and roads closed but once again Invicta Telecare staff rallied round and made it into work against all the odds to keep a lifesaving service up and running.
Whilst the rest of the county came to a grinding halt under a blanket of snow staff went to extreme lengths to get into work. Based in Kent, Invicta Telecare was actually worst hit than most areas with snowfalls of over 40cms.
Part of Circle Anglia – one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing - Invicta Telecare provides a comprehensive range of Telecare services to over 94,000 homes enabling vulnerable people, both young and old, to live safely, happily and independently in their own home. Staff at three monitoring centres respond to emergency calls triggered by an alarm activated in peoples home.
Wendy Turner, Head of Invicta Telecare, said: “Despite the treacherous weather conditions the determination of our staff to make sure there were enough people to keep our service running never ceases to amaze me. Lack of transport was no obstacle as staff often walked for over two hours in snow, knee deep and in temperatures well below freezing.
“We even had calls from the ambulance service who were stuck in the snow asking us to help. We rang people on their behalf who were very distressed waiting to be taken to hospital for emergency treatment and offered them comfort and reassurance.”
Fortunately this year Invicta had planned ahead and saw an opportunity to arrange for staff to handle calls from home. This is the first time this has been put into operation and proved to be really successful.
Another important service is Invicta Telecare’s out of hours call handling on behalf of sheltered schemes, housing associations and local authorities. As many organisations were unable to cope due to lack of staff, Invicta Telecare stepped in and managed their calls as hundreds of people rang to report emergency repairs or asking for help owing to the adverse weather.
Whilst the rest of the county came to a grinding halt under a blanket of snow staff went to extreme lengths to get into work. Based in Kent, Invicta Telecare was actually worst hit than most areas with snowfalls of over 40cms.
Part of Circle Anglia – one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing - Invicta Telecare provides a comprehensive range of Telecare services to over 94,000 homes enabling vulnerable people, both young and old, to live safely, happily and independently in their own home. Staff at three monitoring centres respond to emergency calls triggered by an alarm activated in peoples home.
Wendy Turner, Head of Invicta Telecare, said: “Despite the treacherous weather conditions the determination of our staff to make sure there were enough people to keep our service running never ceases to amaze me. Lack of transport was no obstacle as staff often walked for over two hours in snow, knee deep and in temperatures well below freezing.
“We even had calls from the ambulance service who were stuck in the snow asking us to help. We rang people on their behalf who were very distressed waiting to be taken to hospital for emergency treatment and offered them comfort and reassurance.”
Fortunately this year Invicta had planned ahead and saw an opportunity to arrange for staff to handle calls from home. This is the first time this has been put into operation and proved to be really successful.
Another important service is Invicta Telecare’s out of hours call handling on behalf of sheltered schemes, housing associations and local authorities. As many organisations were unable to cope due to lack of staff, Invicta Telecare stepped in and managed their calls as hundreds of people rang to report emergency repairs or asking for help owing to the adverse weather.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
What does employment law say about 'lone workers'?
There are many different reasons why employees may be lone workers, including:
- Working alone in premises
- Working from home
- Working separately from others
- Working outside normal business hours
- Mobile work
- Service work
Lone workers may be self-employed. A self-employed lone worker has a duty to protect their own health and safety under employment law.
Employers who employ lone workers have the same responsibilities for their health and safety as for any other employees. An employer cannot transfer their responsibility for risk to any other person, including the lone worker. Out of sight should not mean out of mind – if anything, extra precautions should be taken to ensure that lone workers are not at risk. It is the employer’s duty to assess risks to lone workers and to take steps to avoid or control any potential risks.
Specific things that employers should consider include:
- Dangerous and difficult tasks whether some tasks may be dangerous or difficult if performed unaccompanied
- Supervision some level of supervision should be provided, such as regular visits
- Emergency procedures and contacts
- Security
The lone worker’s medical condition in particular anything which may make them unsuitable for working alone
Employees have corresponding responsibilities to take reasonable care of themselves and other people affected by their activities. They must co-operate with their employers in meeting their legal obligations, which may include following health and safety policies and procedures.
It is always a good idea for any employer to get their health and safety policies and procedures checked by an employment solicitor this will ensure that you are complying with your legal obligations and minimise your liability. If you do not have any health and safety policies, an employment solicitor can help to draw these up. If a lone worker is injured, you should report the accident to the Health and Safety Executive and get legal advice immediately. If a lone worker believes their employment rights are being infringed by their employer, they should obtain legal advice from an employment solicitor.
- Working alone in premises
- Working from home
- Working separately from others
- Working outside normal business hours
- Mobile work
- Service work
Lone workers may be self-employed. A self-employed lone worker has a duty to protect their own health and safety under employment law.
Employers who employ lone workers have the same responsibilities for their health and safety as for any other employees. An employer cannot transfer their responsibility for risk to any other person, including the lone worker. Out of sight should not mean out of mind – if anything, extra precautions should be taken to ensure that lone workers are not at risk. It is the employer’s duty to assess risks to lone workers and to take steps to avoid or control any potential risks.
Specific things that employers should consider include:
- Dangerous and difficult tasks whether some tasks may be dangerous or difficult if performed unaccompanied
- Supervision some level of supervision should be provided, such as regular visits
- Emergency procedures and contacts
- Security
The lone worker’s medical condition in particular anything which may make them unsuitable for working alone
Employees have corresponding responsibilities to take reasonable care of themselves and other people affected by their activities. They must co-operate with their employers in meeting their legal obligations, which may include following health and safety policies and procedures.
It is always a good idea for any employer to get their health and safety policies and procedures checked by an employment solicitor this will ensure that you are complying with your legal obligations and minimise your liability. If you do not have any health and safety policies, an employment solicitor can help to draw these up. If a lone worker is injured, you should report the accident to the Health and Safety Executive and get legal advice immediately. If a lone worker believes their employment rights are being infringed by their employer, they should obtain legal advice from an employment solicitor.
Monday, 6 December 2010
The importance of a lone worker protection
If you or your employee's are working in isolated or high risk situations and problems arise, you will want help to arrive as quickly as possible. This is very important, before it’s too late. For that you need a lone worker protection system, a device that can provide signals to to a server, to give the position of workers who are having problems or risk endangering themselves. In selecting these tools, there is a certain need for precision and a lot of considerations. Health and Safety Executive (HSE), describes lone workers as “Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision.” This does not mean that they work alone all the time, but spent most of their time without close interaction with other colleagues. Workers who work alone most of the faces greater risk, such as violence or accidents.
Lone worker protection May be Valuable to people who:
Work away from their base, for example a sales person, or the postman.
Conducting visits from house to house, such as health care workers, social services
Working outside in the community, such as environmental officers, probation officers
Working outside normal hours or the one person in place, such as shift or flexi-time, or maybe a bodyguard.
Lone Worker Protection has the main objective as a service to improve communication to help reduce risk to every Lone Worker.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Two die in gardens in Cumbria in cold weather
Two elderly people have been found dead in their gardens in Cumbria as the freezing weather continues.
On Tuesday the body of 84-year-old William Wilson was found in Kirkby Stephen, and on Wednesday Lillian Jenkinson, 80, was found in Workington.
The deaths have prompted authorities to urge people to take extra care and look out for one another.
Cumbria Police believe Mrs Jenkinson, of Pinfold Street, may have fallen in her garden overnight before she died.
Mary Beck, 80, a neighbour, said: "We were all friends and neighbours. She was very quiet.
"I can't remember how long I'd known her for but she was here when I moved into this house - it's decades. She was nice, a lovely person.
"At one time, years ago, she would do alterations for people, taking hems up and the like. She was a good seamstress."
Vulnerable people
Officers are also investigating whether Mr Wilson fell or if a medical condition contributed to his death.
Cumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham said: "Two elderly people have tragically died in their gardens in the last week and we know they were closely supported by family and neighbours. However not everyone has that support.
"So I would ask everyone to keep an eye out for vulnerable people in their community, particularly those who are elderly and live alone."
Meanwhile, more than 30 schools were closed in Cumbria as the wintry weather continued to cause disruption.
More snow is forecast for across the county and the wintry weather will continue into the weekend.
[Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-11907794]
On Tuesday the body of 84-year-old William Wilson was found in Kirkby Stephen, and on Wednesday Lillian Jenkinson, 80, was found in Workington.
The deaths have prompted authorities to urge people to take extra care and look out for one another.
Cumbria Police believe Mrs Jenkinson, of Pinfold Street, may have fallen in her garden overnight before she died.
Mary Beck, 80, a neighbour, said: "We were all friends and neighbours. She was very quiet.
"I can't remember how long I'd known her for but she was here when I moved into this house - it's decades. She was nice, a lovely person.
"At one time, years ago, she would do alterations for people, taking hems up and the like. She was a good seamstress."
Vulnerable people
Officers are also investigating whether Mr Wilson fell or if a medical condition contributed to his death.
Cumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham said: "Two elderly people have tragically died in their gardens in the last week and we know they were closely supported by family and neighbours. However not everyone has that support.
"So I would ask everyone to keep an eye out for vulnerable people in their community, particularly those who are elderly and live alone."
Meanwhile, more than 30 schools were closed in Cumbria as the wintry weather continued to cause disruption.
More snow is forecast for across the county and the wintry weather will continue into the weekend.
[Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-11907794]
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Nine pensioners died from cold EVERY HOUR last winter as bill prices soar - Telecare
Nine elderly people died every hour from cold-related illnesses last winter.
Official figures show the number of deaths linked to cold over the four-month period reached 25,400 in England and Wales, plus 2,760 in Scotland.
Charities and energy company critics claim the UK has the highest winter death rate in northern Europe, even worse than much colder countries such as Finland and Sweden.
There are fears the toll could rise this year following a recent barrage of price rises that may frighten elderly people into not turning on their heating.
While the UK death rate is high, the total was down by around 30 per cent compared with 2008/9 because there were fewer flu outbreaks, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Dot Gibson, of the National Pensioners Convention, said: ‘Since 1997 we have lost more than 300,000 pensioners during the winter months because of cold-related illnesses, yet the Government seems incapable of acting. No other section of our society is so vulnerable and treated so badly.'
The death of 90-year-old Margaret Titchmarsh showed how cold weather can claim the lives of elderly people.
Former nurse Mrs Titchmarsh, who suffered from dementia, died from hypothermia after wandering away from her care home, in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
At the inquest into her death, Halifax coroner Roger Whittaker concluded her death was accidental but 'contributed to by neglect'.
She was wearing only a thin summer dress, cardigan and slippers when she was found dead - on one of the coldest nights of the year in January 2007
Maria Wardrobe, of the charity National Energy Action, said: ‘Britain still has the highest number of excess winter deaths in northern Europe which is a national disgrace, and more needs to be done to tackle the problem of fuel poverty.
Dave Timms, from Friends of the Earth, said: ‘Living in a cold, damp house can make heart disease and strokes more likely.’
He said the Government’s Energy Bill, which is to be published this month, should include a programme to insulate all the nation’s homes.
Michelle Mitchell, director of the charity Age UK, said:'It’s still unacceptable that in this day and age tens of thousands more older people die in this country every winter from the effects of the cold weather.
'As another winter sets in, plummeting temperatures will once again spell misery, ill-health and, in some cases, even death for too many people in later life across the country.
'The simple fact that the UK has one of the highest winter mortality rates in Europe – higher than even Sweden or Finland – makes it clear this is very much a home-grown problem.
'These are avoidable deaths due not just to the cold weather in itself but to the country’s inability to meet the challenge of dropping temperatures.'
Public health minister Anne Milton said: ‘Information to help vulnerable people keep warm and well will be made available to GP surgeries and local organisations.
'The elderly, and those who are ill, are particularly vulnerable during cold weather.
'We all have a role to play in remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk especially at this time of year.’
Official figures show the number of deaths linked to cold over the four-month period reached 25,400 in England and Wales, plus 2,760 in Scotland.
Charities and energy company critics claim the UK has the highest winter death rate in northern Europe, even worse than much colder countries such as Finland and Sweden.
There are fears the toll could rise this year following a recent barrage of price rises that may frighten elderly people into not turning on their heating.
While the UK death rate is high, the total was down by around 30 per cent compared with 2008/9 because there were fewer flu outbreaks, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Dot Gibson, of the National Pensioners Convention, said: ‘Since 1997 we have lost more than 300,000 pensioners during the winter months because of cold-related illnesses, yet the Government seems incapable of acting. No other section of our society is so vulnerable and treated so badly.'
The death of 90-year-old Margaret Titchmarsh showed how cold weather can claim the lives of elderly people.
Former nurse Mrs Titchmarsh, who suffered from dementia, died from hypothermia after wandering away from her care home, in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
At the inquest into her death, Halifax coroner Roger Whittaker concluded her death was accidental but 'contributed to by neglect'.
She was wearing only a thin summer dress, cardigan and slippers when she was found dead - on one of the coldest nights of the year in January 2007
Maria Wardrobe, of the charity National Energy Action, said: ‘Britain still has the highest number of excess winter deaths in northern Europe which is a national disgrace, and more needs to be done to tackle the problem of fuel poverty.
Dave Timms, from Friends of the Earth, said: ‘Living in a cold, damp house can make heart disease and strokes more likely.’
He said the Government’s Energy Bill, which is to be published this month, should include a programme to insulate all the nation’s homes.
Michelle Mitchell, director of the charity Age UK, said:'It’s still unacceptable that in this day and age tens of thousands more older people die in this country every winter from the effects of the cold weather.
'As another winter sets in, plummeting temperatures will once again spell misery, ill-health and, in some cases, even death for too many people in later life across the country.
'The simple fact that the UK has one of the highest winter mortality rates in Europe – higher than even Sweden or Finland – makes it clear this is very much a home-grown problem.
'These are avoidable deaths due not just to the cold weather in itself but to the country’s inability to meet the challenge of dropping temperatures.'
Public health minister Anne Milton said: ‘Information to help vulnerable people keep warm and well will be made available to GP surgeries and local organisations.
'The elderly, and those who are ill, are particularly vulnerable during cold weather.
'We all have a role to play in remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk especially at this time of year.’
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
NTTC 2010: National Telecare & Telehealth Conference 2010
The UK’s National Telecare & Telehealth Conference 2010 took place in London from 15-17 November, under the title “Telecare and Telehealth – Drivers of Change”. More than 600 delegates attended, representing fields as diverse as industry suppliers, local authorities and academic institutions, and the conference offered a mixture of plenary sessions and workshops.
Major themes of the 2010 conference, organized by the UK Telecare Services Association (TSA), included the ethics of telecare and telehealth, the need for synergy across health and social care, balancing technologies with other forms of care and support, quality standards, the role of telemedicine in ageing population, and the opportunities for increased use of telemedicinein an era of economic downturn.
Telecare and telehealth are relatively young and burgeoning industries. In the UK, an estimated 1.7 million people already benefit from telecare – a mixture of services and equipment that enable, for example, older and vulnerable people to live independently. From simple alarms through to detectors and monitors, telecare systems provide a means for carers to respond to clients’ needs 24-hours a day, every day. Telecare systems can also be tailored to monitor an individual’s physical activity, health and well-being.
Telehealth takes telecare one step further – by monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure and transmitting information, via a response centre, to personnel able to make clinical judgements and decisions regarding a client’s health status and need for intervention or support. Today, telehealth is being used in the UK to monitor the health status of around 10,000 individuals with long-term health problems. It is hoped that current pilot schemes will eventually lead to large-scale, randomized studies of telehealth – studies that are needed to generate an evidence-base to convince clinicians and commissioners of the value of telehealth in patient management.
Major themes of the 2010 conference, organized by the UK Telecare Services Association (TSA), included the ethics of telecare and telehealth, the need for synergy across health and social care, balancing technologies with other forms of care and support, quality standards, the role of telemedicine in ageing population, and the opportunities for increased use of telemedicinein an era of economic downturn.
Telecare and telehealth are relatively young and burgeoning industries. In the UK, an estimated 1.7 million people already benefit from telecare – a mixture of services and equipment that enable, for example, older and vulnerable people to live independently. From simple alarms through to detectors and monitors, telecare systems provide a means for carers to respond to clients’ needs 24-hours a day, every day. Telecare systems can also be tailored to monitor an individual’s physical activity, health and well-being.
Telehealth takes telecare one step further – by monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure and transmitting information, via a response centre, to personnel able to make clinical judgements and decisions regarding a client’s health status and need for intervention or support. Today, telehealth is being used in the UK to monitor the health status of around 10,000 individuals with long-term health problems. It is hoped that current pilot schemes will eventually lead to large-scale, randomized studies of telehealth – studies that are needed to generate an evidence-base to convince clinicians and commissioners of the value of telehealth in patient management.
[Source: www.getinsidehealth.com]
Future Trends In Mobile Phones For Health Care Delivery Cannot Be Ignored
The care industry has experienced significant culture changes following the drive to support independent living and provision of care in the community. These changes driven by the government have also put significant challenges on our work practices.
As care provider organizations look to improve service delivery and provide the auditable evidence that satisfies national and local performance targets, many are now looking to increase deployment of mobile technology to further enhance service provision.
For many years the mobile phone as a delivery device was somewhat ignored. By comparison care service providers in developing countries began to comprehend the advantages of the mobile phone and the expansion of wireless networks offered the opportunity to deliver services to low – and middle income countries.
As of May 2008, the number of global mobile phone subscribers has grown to over 3.4 billion and is projected to grow to 5.2 billion by 2011. Mobile technologies therefore enable Telecare providers to decentralize and extend their reach to remote settings as well as to individual members with a comparatively smaller investment in technology infrastructure.
As technologies go, mobile phones are flexible and familiar for the end user and currently GSM and 3G based CDMA networks provide coverage to homes, workplaces, and even remote rural areas.
In the short term questions still persist about the future form developing mobile technologies will take but there is no doubt that the abilities of this day’s Smartphone’s (e.g. the Apple iPhone or Nokia N95) to download applications when required will become more inexpensive and therefore more easily accessible over time.
GPRS, Edge, and even 3G data services are now available on many mid-price mobile phones and the integration of mapping technologies GIS and GPS with mobile technologies lets users “tag” voice and data communication to a particular location or series of locations effectively providing the potential of extending Telecare and Lone Worker service delivery far beyond the confines of the home. New broadband access technologies (e.g. WiMAX) offering enhanced web, e-mail and voice over world wide web (VoIP) services at a fraction of the cost of current 3G technology and Wireless Long Distance [WiLD] providing broadband over distances of up to 200kms from a single source.
A comprehensive report from the wireless industry (Wireless Healthcare, 2005) lists 101 specific health-related activities that can be conducted using mobile phones such as reminders about appointments and medication, the use of a SIM card to hold medical data, peer support for patients, support for health professionals making a diagnosis, and data collection, along with using phones to control inventory and to contact emergency services. All in all, a plethora of ways in which lone worker safety is improved and the capability to complete day to day tasks effectively.
While the UK health community might debate the future of the mobile phone within our industry, healthcare individuals around the world are already using mobile technologies to access care services provided by the software applications on mobile phones. Industry visionaries, like mobile industry expert, Jeffrey Sachs at Columbia University in the US, predicts; “the cell phone is the single most transformative technology for development.”
As care provider organizations look to improve service delivery and provide the auditable evidence that satisfies national and local performance targets, many are now looking to increase deployment of mobile technology to further enhance service provision.
For many years the mobile phone as a delivery device was somewhat ignored. By comparison care service providers in developing countries began to comprehend the advantages of the mobile phone and the expansion of wireless networks offered the opportunity to deliver services to low – and middle income countries.
As of May 2008, the number of global mobile phone subscribers has grown to over 3.4 billion and is projected to grow to 5.2 billion by 2011. Mobile technologies therefore enable Telecare providers to decentralize and extend their reach to remote settings as well as to individual members with a comparatively smaller investment in technology infrastructure.
As technologies go, mobile phones are flexible and familiar for the end user and currently GSM and 3G based CDMA networks provide coverage to homes, workplaces, and even remote rural areas.
In the short term questions still persist about the future form developing mobile technologies will take but there is no doubt that the abilities of this day’s Smartphone’s (e.g. the Apple iPhone or Nokia N95) to download applications when required will become more inexpensive and therefore more easily accessible over time.
GPRS, Edge, and even 3G data services are now available on many mid-price mobile phones and the integration of mapping technologies GIS and GPS with mobile technologies lets users “tag” voice and data communication to a particular location or series of locations effectively providing the potential of extending Telecare and Lone Worker service delivery far beyond the confines of the home. New broadband access technologies (e.g. WiMAX) offering enhanced web, e-mail and voice over world wide web (VoIP) services at a fraction of the cost of current 3G technology and Wireless Long Distance [WiLD] providing broadband over distances of up to 200kms from a single source.
A comprehensive report from the wireless industry (Wireless Healthcare, 2005) lists 101 specific health-related activities that can be conducted using mobile phones such as reminders about appointments and medication, the use of a SIM card to hold medical data, peer support for patients, support for health professionals making a diagnosis, and data collection, along with using phones to control inventory and to contact emergency services. All in all, a plethora of ways in which lone worker safety is improved and the capability to complete day to day tasks effectively.
While the UK health community might debate the future of the mobile phone within our industry, healthcare individuals around the world are already using mobile technologies to access care services provided by the software applications on mobile phones. Industry visionaries, like mobile industry expert, Jeffrey Sachs at Columbia University in the US, predicts; “the cell phone is the single most transformative technology for development.”
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