Why telehealth will transform care of Kent’s patients

Locally, we have already seen what a dramatic effect telecare and telehealth can have on the daily life and wellbeing of people with long-term health problems after it was introduced by the primary care trusts in Kent and Kent County Council seven years ago.

Take, for instance, Haris Patel, 54, from Folkestone whose health conditions include problems caused by hardening of the arteries.

He said: “Before I had telehealth, I used to spend 10 months of each year in hospital. Since I got it, I have been in for two weeks in the last three years, and that was planned. Telehealth gives me peace of mind.”

Now the Department of Health is so impressed with the results of the Whole System Demonstrator Programme, which tested the technology in Kent, Cornwall and Newham, that it is championing its use nationwide.

The project found there was a 45 per cent reduction in deaths among patients taking part, a 15 per cent drop in attendance at A&E, and 20 per cent fewer emergency admissions to hospital.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “People were absolutely clear that high-tech healthcare has improved their lives for the better.

“I want to see more people across the country benefit. That is why we are working with industry, the NHS and councils to change the lives of three million people across England over the next five years.”

So what is this technology? Telecare, introduced in Kent in 2004, offers remote monitoring of people’s safety. Available to vulnerable people, who meet specific criteria, it consists of sensors that can be worn (such as a falls monitor on the belt) or placed in the home (such as a flood alarm if someone might not remember to turn off the taps).

Sensors are connected to a 24-hour monitoring centre which contacts the person and raises the alarm if there is a problem.

Telehealth, which enables remote monitoring of people’s health, is even more innovative.

Available in Kent since 2005, it offers suitable patients with conditions such as diabetes, lung disease and heart disease, the chance to measure their pulse, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood oxygen level, peak flow (lung capacity), temperature and weight, all at home.

Their community matron from Kent Community Health NHS Trust, or specialist nurse, monitors their readings from day to day, picking up subtle changes in their health before they develop into something more serious.

This helps people stay well – as does the power it gives them over their lives. People get to ‘know their numbers’ and understand the impact their day- to-day life has on their health, so they can spot when things are deteriorating and take action.

It has been such a success that the technology is no longer just a pilot – it is being rolled out across Kent and Medway and will be available as part of the care package for those who are eligible.

This is a wonderful example of what the NHS and social care can achieve by working closely together to improve the quality of life for local people.

(Original article: http://www.yourcanterbury.co.uk/blogs/why_telehealth_will_transform_care_of_kent_s_patients_1_1176973)