National Telecare and Telehealth Conference 2008
3 - 5 November 2008 Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel
Record attendance at top level conference
More than 630 telecare professionals from Europe, USA and New Zealand gathered in Brighton from 3-5 November to discuss, share, learn and challenge telecare at the National Telecare and Telehealth Conference organised by the Telecare Services Association.
Keynote speakers included Tim Ellis from the Department of Health who spoke of the latest findings on the three Whole System Demonstrators funded by the Department of Health. This project sees research and trial integrated approaches to the delivery of health and social care using the latest technological solutions.
Weather forecast assistance
Tim Ellis was followed by Julie Jones from the Social Care Institute for Excellence who highlighted innovation in social care and Wayne Elliott from the Met Office who highlighted how weather forecasts can be used to assist people with long term conditions.
Industry sector speakers included representatives from Microsoft UK, Intel Digital Health Group and BT.
Wide choice of workshops
Running throughout the conference were 23 workshops representing telecare and telehealth equally. Delegates could personalise their own conference experience by choosing in-depth sessions or workshops with either a strategic or operational perspective. Among the 40 plus workshop presenters was Ed Harding from the CSIP Network who led a very popular session on the future opportunities and challenges presented in the provision of integrated care.
In a separate session, Sarah Burroughes from Nottingham Community Housing Trust, together with two service users, shared the experience of how telecare assisted those receiving supported housing services.
Telecare qualification launched
In the exhibition zone, 36 companies from the UK and Europe exhibited their new products and services with more than 20 new products unveiled in the UK for the first time. A Level II vocational qualification in telecare was also launched and the Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies (CSHS) - the organisation steering the qualification with TSA and City and Guilds - reported considerable interest in the educational award.
Code of Practice Awards
During the Networking Dinner, 27 TSA Member Organisations celebrated receiving their Code of Practice awards to the delight of those present.
The Conference ended with the surprise motivational speaker, Chris Moon who thrilled the audience with his story of determination and courage after receiving dreadful injuries in a landmine explosion.