News & policy
The 2012 College of Medicine Award for Innovation in Healthy Ageing The College of Medicine is a brand new body bringing together clinicians and patients (www.collegeofmedicine.org.uk) It is the first ever to include patients and representatives of a wide range of therapeutic disciplines as full members of its governing Council. Their ambitious aim is to transform the NHS into a safer, more responsive and patient-centred, caring and effective institution The College of Medicine (CoM) is launching an award for innovative, patient-centred, healthy ageing practices and projects that exemplify the College’s key principles: Service, Science and Healing. Projects shortlisted will be celebrated at an awards ceremony and invited to attend the CoM's annual conference at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist on May 3rd 2012 http://members.collegeofmedicine.eu/courses/annualconference2012 Winning prize: Cash prize £1500 A 4 minute mini-documentary about your project by NICE TV. One complementary place at the CoM annual conference on 03/05/12 and one complementary place at a pre-Conference workshops on 2 May 2012 of your choice 'Demonstration site' status with an enhanced profile on the CoM website Runners up (up to 2 projects) will be awarded: Cash prize £750 One complementary place at the CoM annual conference on 03/05/12 and one complementary place at a pre-Conference workshops on 2 May 2012 of your choice 'Demonstration site' status with an enhanced profile on the CoM website An innovations certificate **CLOSING DATE: 13/02/12** Projects who have been shortlisted will be notified by February 28th 2012 Your application (form attached) for the award will also serve as an application to the College of Medicine’s Innovations Network http://www.collegeofmedicine.org.uk/innovations-network If you would like to enter the award but not join the Innovations Network please inform me when your apply. It will not cost your project anything to join the Innovations Network. FFI please follow the link: http://www.collegeofmedicine.org.uk/innovation-awards-2012-enter-now Minister welcomes 3millionlives Approach Paul Burstow MP, Minister of State for Care Services re-affirmed his commitment to working with industry to improve the lives of millions of people today 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). More information can be found in the following News Release Policy, funding and trends. New funding to support prevention and reablement services The Department of Health has announced a one-off allocation of £150m to Primary Care Trusts in England, for immediate transfer to local authorities for investment in social care services which also benefit the health system. This additional investment is intended to enable local services to discharge patients from hospital more quickly and provide effective ongoing support for people in their own homes. The aim is to reduce the pressure on health services, and particularly hospitals during the winter period. Coupled with this, an additional £20 million will be allocated to the Disabled Facilities Grant for 2011/12, to help more people with a disability to access the aids and adaptations they require to live independently at home, saving them from an unnecessary stay in hospital or going into residential care. For further information and to view the press release, go to: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/01/care-services-to-receive-170m-in-additional-funding/,and http://mediacentre.dh.gov.uk/2012/01/03/extra-money-to-help-people-leaving-hospital/ Three Million Lives will be improved through hi tech health project Three million lives could be improved across England thanks to new high-tech healthcare. After seeing the technology in practice in Cornwall today, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow, has pledged to make it available to more people with long term conditions. In order to make this a reality, over the next five years the Department of Health will work with industry, the NHS, social care and professional organisations to bring the benefits of assistive technology such as telehealth and telecare to millions of people with long term conditions Telehealth and telecare use electronic equipment to read vital health signs such as pulse, weight, respiration and blood oxygen levels, which can be read remotely by health professionals in a different location. It means that people can stay in the comfort of their own homes with the peace of mind that a doctor or nurse will be alerted should there be a problem. Care Services minister Paul Burstow said: “The trials of telehealth and telecare have shown how people with long term conditions can live more independently, reducing the time they have to spend in hospital and improving their quality of life. The feedback I have heard from people in Cornwall today has been incredibly positive. They were absolutely clear that high-tech healthcare being used here has improved their lives for the better. “I want to see more people across the country benefit from this sort of technology. 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.” Early findings indicate that telehealth can lead to Yet up take in England has been slow – there are only around 5,000 telehealth users and only 1.5 million pieces of telecare in use to date. At least three million people with long term conditions could benefit from using telehealth and telecare - leading to potential net efficiency gain of around £1.2 billion over the next five years. This will put the UK in the forefront globally of long term conditions management and the use of this technology. Joe Barr from St Keyne, who has been using telehealth since August 2009, said: “It’s part of caring for yourself. I have to take responsibility for my illnesses. What telehealth does is it helps me to manage my conditions. I wouldn’t change anything about the service at all. The information about my readings is invaluable. “Since using telehealth I have been to see my GP a lot less than I used to do. I understand more about my readings and relate it to my condition. It’s like having a little nurse on your shoulder. It’s brilliant!” Norman Hemmings from Newquay, who has been using telehealth since January 2010, said: “For me it works really well, it’s like having your second in the corner when you come out fighting. It’s comforting to know the service is there recording your readings and monitoring without you having to leave your home; it’s in your house! If you do receive contact from the telehealth nurse team they know you and your medical history very well. For me it got things moving on my new diagnosis; without telehealth this wouldn’t have been detected.” ENDS Notes to editors 1. For media queries please contact the department of Health press office on 020 7210 5221. 2. There are 15.4 million people living in England with at least one LTC (defined as one that cannot be cured but can be managed) with expectations that this will increase to around 18 million over the next 20 years with the main increase being those with multiple LTCs. They are high users of health services using around 75% of all inpatient bed days, 65% of outpatient appointments and 55% of all GP appointments. They account for around 70% of the total health and social care spend. 3. Over the last three years the Department of Health has been running the world’s largest randomised control trial of telehealth and telecare – involving 6191 participants and 238 GP practices across three locations in Cornwall, Kent and Newham. 4. Telehealth is using electronic equipment to read vital health signs such as pulse, weight, respiration and blood oxygen levels and then sending those readings remotely to a health professional. The equipment can be installed in the patient’s home and the readings monitored by health professionals in a different location. 5. Telecare is electronic equipment used in a person’s home to support independent living. Good examples of this are personal pendent alarms worn around the neck, bed sensors to detect unexpected movements, flood alerts and door alarms. All of these can be used to support people with a range of long term conditions (e.g. dementia) so that they can avoid unplanned admissions to hospital or care homes.
An innovations certificate
Inclusion of project materials either in the Conference delegate material (and/or in the general exhibition)
3millionlives News Release
Contacts: NDS Enquiries Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept Email: ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Chronic Disease Management
Chronic Disease Management is an independent supplement which is distributed within The Guardian newspaper. Trevor Single, Chief Executive of TSA, carried out an interview, which has been published by this supplement. To read the interview, please click the following link: projects.mediaplanet.com/uk/rare_diseases_2_9263/chronic_small.pdf
Initial Findings of the Whole System Demonstrator Project
The Whole system demonstrator programme: Headline findings – December 2011is now available. They show that, if delivered properly, telehealth can substantially reduce mortality, reduce the need for admissions to hospital, lower the number of bed days spent in hospital and reduce the time spent in A&E.
At least three million people with Long Term Conditions and/or social care needs could benefit from using telehealth and telecare. To achieve this level of change the Department of Health is planning to work with industry, the NHS, social care and professional partners in a collaboration with a difference, the “Three Million Lives” campaign.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/12/wsd-headline-findings/
Further coverage can be found at:
Accelerating adoption of innovation in the NHS – telehealth references in main report
http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/12/nhs-adopting-innovation/
Three million NHS patients 'monitored' at home to free up hospitals
David Cameron Speech (5 Dec) – telehealth reference
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/12/05/david-cameron-on-life-sciences-speech_n_1129316.html
Information can also be found in the following press release
NHS Operating Framework 2012
The operating framework for the NHS in England 2012/13 was published on 24 November 2011 and sets out the business and planning arrangements for the NHS. It describes the national priorities, system levers and enablers needed to NHS organisations to maintain and improve the quality of services provided, while delivering transformational change and maintaining financial stabilty.
It also sets out the practical steps that need to be taken to carry the NHS through its transition over the next year, how it can maintain high quality standards and financial control, in the move towards the Government's agenda of 'Liberating the NHS'.
Information on how this Framework relates to telecare and telehealth can be found here
Shortlist Announced for TSA Crystal Awards 2011
The shortlist for the hotly contested TSA Crystal Awards 2011 has now been released. Telecare and telehealth are proving to be invaluable to service users, patients, their families and carers. TSA’s members provide the vast majority of services to the 1.7 million connected customers in the UK. We regularly read about top quality service delivery, technological innovation, and organisations that go that extra mile to ensure their customers receive the very best products and services possible. The TSA Crystal Awards have been designed to recognise this excellence within telecare and telehealth.
More information can be found in the following press release.
Minister to speak at International Telecare and Telehealth Conference 2011
Paul Burstow MP, Minister of State for Care Services will deliver a key note address at the International Telecare and Telehealth Conference on 14 November 2011 in London. Further information can be found in the following news release:
TSA appoints Choose Independence to develop a Telehealth Code of Practice
The successful development and launch of all the standards and process modules for the TSA Telecare Code of Practice was completed last year. But the TSA has been asked recently by members and other organisations when a similar code will be produced for telehealth. With telehealth becoming more than just a few pilot projects dotted around the UK there is an increasing need for the introduction of a set of standards that service providers can adopt in the provision of their services.
Further information can be found in the following news release:
20th June 2011
Short Range Devices Operating in the 863 to 87 MHz Radio Band
As you may be aware, Ofcom is preparing to auction radio spectrum in the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands. We anticipate that this spectrum will be used to deliver the next generation of 4G mobile broadband services. The 800 MHz band will be particularly important in enabling roll out of mobile broadband services to less densely populated rural areas.
Mobile broadband will, however, have an impact on the way some adjacent frequencies can be used in future. For example, terrestrial TV services may suffer interference in some areas, and we are consulting on how this issue can be addressed. Initial research also suggests that, under worst case assumptions, some short range devices (SRDs) which use the frequencies between 863 and 870 MHz, could also suffer interference. These include; wireless headphones and microphones used in the home and in community venues; wireless systems used to trigger fire, intruder and social alarms; and commercial telemetry.
We are writing to you so that you are aware of the situation with SRDs and can participate in the public debate. In particular we would like to draw your attention to the consultation document you can find on our website here. This sets out the technical license conditions we propose to attach to the spectrum offered at auction. Paragraphs 3.5 to 3.13 set out our current views on likely impact on SRDs.
The 863 to 870 MHz band is used throughout Europe on a license-exempt "non-interference/non-protection basis". That is to say, if SRD's receive interference from other authorised services, we cannot provide any protection. Ofcom's long standing guidance on use of the SRD band is available on our website here.
We are keen to establish a dialogue with key stakeholders, including associations representing manufacturers and service providers, so that we can share the results of our continuing research as it becomes available.
Help Requested to Find Good Practice
Over the next few months, we shall be attempting to collect reports of practical ideas and solutions from service providers on a variety of topics. The plan is then to produce a series of “Good Practice” guides that member organisations can use freely to support their service users, and to help improve the general quality of service.
Help Requested to Find Good Practice
If you require any further information, please contact kevin.doughty@telecare.org.uk
TSA Welcomes Government's 'Plan for Growth' Budget Announcement on Assisted Living
The TSA has welcomed the Government's commitment to improve the take up of assisted living technology in its 'Plan for Growth' report that formed part of the Budget 2011 announcements.
The Plan commits the Government to help establish a code of practice that sets a framework for services and technology in order to provide a quality assurance for customers.
With the experience gained from developing our own Telecare Code of Practice, the TSA is looking forward to working with the Government to establish the required standards to provide quality assurance to customers, and increase the take up of this technology.
News Release 24 March 2011 - Full Release and Notes
Millions of patients set to benefit from a modern NHS -
Ticking time bomb means 252% increase in over 65's with two or more conditions by 2050
The NHS can't afford to stand still if it is going to cope with the increasing number of people with two or more long term conditions - set to increase dramatically by 252 per cent by 2050 - Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said today.
Almost one in three of the population have a long term condition - such as asthma, heart and lung disease, arthritis, hypertension and diabetes - and half of people over the age of 60 have one. They are the biggest users of the NHS accounting for around 50 percent of GP appointments and 70 per cent of inpatient hospital beds meaning 30 per cent of the population accounts for 70 per cent of the spend.
The NHS will not be able to meet this increase in demand unless it changes. Add to that the fragmented and inefficient way the NHS currently looks after people with long term conditions and the health service just won't be able to cope a few years from now.
The 15 million people with long term conditions want a different approach - they do not want to spend time in hospital and they want more say in the care they get and the way it is delivered. They will all benefit from a modernised NHS by being treated more effectively and intelligently.
DH Release14 March - Full release and notes
Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS - Managing the Transition
A letter has been issued by Sir David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, outlining progress following the publication of the Health and Social Care Bill; the rapid expansion in the number of pathfinder consortia, and the publication of guidance on forming PCT clusters, and focuses in particular on the new commissioning system. The publicatin of the Bill in particular has prompted widespread debate about the proposals for the new system and Annex B below offers clarification on some of the more commonly raised issues.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_124479.pdf
Extra funding in support of Social Care
A letter issued jointly by David Behan, Director General for Local Government and Social Care Partnerships, Department of Health, and David Flory, Deputy NHS Chief Executive, outlines the detail and schedule for the extra funding that will be issued via PCTs for NHS support of social care. Further clarification was sought by TSA, on behalf of its members, from DH and we were given the following statement:
Where the extra money is spent is for PCTs and their local authorities to decide, taking into account the particular needs of their local community to make the greatest impact on handling winter pressures and reducing delayed discharges.
The sorts of things that we expect the funding to be used for include:
- additional short-term residential care places, or respite and intermediate care
- more capacity for home care support, investment in equipment, adaptations and telecare
- or investment in crisis response teams and other preventative services to avoid unnecessary admission to hospital.
- further investment in re-ablement and rehabilitation services, to help people regain their independence and reduce the need for ongoing care. PCTs and councils have already received additional funding this year to expand re-ablement services.
This funding will enable local partners to deliver enhanced services which accelerate the pace with which re-ablement and care services are made available and target those innovative interventions which are already proving successful. There are a wide range of services which can be built on across the whole health and care system for example:
- The provision of complex and small aids to daily living and adaptations to the home can facilitate independent living and enable people who would other wise have remained in hospital to return home to be cared for by family and community support services.
- Out-reach and step down residential care to ensure that people are admitted promptly to residential or nursing home care when needed.
- speedy assessment of people who have been in hospital in short stay residential or care home settings.
- Assistive technology/telecare can be installed very quickly in someone's own home, including, for example, sensors and alarms that help a person to live independently but pick up where a problem arises.
- Also significant are services which enable family carers to care for very vulnerable people at home eg Night sitting, respite and day care.
A full copy of the letter can be found here:
Health and Social Care Bill
19 January 2011
The NHS has announced an extra £162m for use within frontline services. This announcement, made in the Independent this morning, is detailed below:
£162m boost for NHS after efficiency savings
The Department of Health is to make an extra £162 million available for frontline services after a successfull efficiency drive, the Health Secretary announced today.
Andrew Lansley said savings made in consultancy, IT, administration and advertising would be used to help patients to leave hospital more quickly, receive support at home, and to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.
The money will be given to primary care trusts and local authorities, who will decide how best to use the funding to relieve additional pressures on hospitals over the winter period.
Mr Lansley said: "Savings have been made in the Department of Health's budget which can now be invested in frontline NHS services. It's really important, particularly at this time of year, that we help people to leave hospital as quickly as they can, when they are ready. The latest figures show that 2,575 beds are unavailable due to delayed transfers of care."
The Health Secretary added that older people often needed particular support after a spell in hospital to settle back into their homes, recover their strength and regain their independence.
Mr Lansley went on: "This additional investment for health and care services is the result of determination to deliver savings, maintain quality and invest in services that matter to patients and their families and carers during the critical winter season."
The funding will bring forward plans being put in place by health and local authorities to work together using NHS funding to support social care, as announced in the Government spending review.
The Departmentof Health said the extra £162 million of funding was in addition to the previously announced £70 million that the NHS will spend this year on "reablement" services.
The efficiency savings had been made by applying controls over central spending on consultancy, IT, administration and advertising common across all of Government, the department said.
Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: "It is absolutley crucial that the NHS and local authorities work together to help people leave hospital when they are ready. The benefits are on all sides - patients get to go home with the support they and their families need, and hospital beds are freed up. This money will help cut the delays in getting the equipment and adaptations that people can need to enable them to live independently at home - saving them from an unnecessary stay in hospital or going into residential care."
Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, welcomed the announcement that extra money would be made availalble to help support people leaving hospital. People in later life often need additional support when leaving hospital to ensure their recover is quick and they do not suffer setbacks which can lead to readmission," she said.
Further information can be found here
Telephony Issues Question and Answer - December 2010
What are Next Generation Networks (NGNs)?
What happens during the change over to an NGN?
Will anything sound different with a Next Generation Network?
Can you tell if you are using a Next Generation Network?
Will users get prior notice of a switchover to a Next Generation Network?
Where can further information about Next Generation Network Migration be found?
For long term planning how much prior information will be available?
Will there be a key local contact for liaison or issue reporting?
What does it mean when equipment or a standard is declared obsolescent?
Do I have to move all my Telecare equipment to BS8521?
What are Non-Geographical Networks?
If there are issues following migration, what should we do?
Are there any number of changes following the Next Generation Network change over?
Will there be any financial recompenses for costs incurred as a result of the change over?
My Call Centre is a 0870 number, how does that affect equipment performance?
What are Continua Health Alliance and NOWIP?
Why was the original Q&A list withdrawn?
How can I use the BT websites to get information about my equipment?
My Call Centre is outsourced and remote from my clients, does this make a difference?
Not all service clients are BT subscribers, does this make a difference?
My ARC has a Smart Divert capability. Will this continue to operate during and after switchover?
What issues are there with ex-directory and number withheld clients?
The Q&A has been prepared by Charles Henderson, TSA Technical Consultant. A further review will be undertaken in the Spring 2011.
GP Pathfinders identified to lead NHS Reforms
8 December 2010
The first group of GPs who will take the lead in the Government's plans for comissioning health services were announced today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. Full press release is here.
Healthcare without Walls
6 December 2010
In response to this reapidly changing environment, 2020health believe that a more proactive approach to telehealth was needed to galvanise the NHS into action. Based on a thorough analysis of the relevant evidence - and of related organisational, delivery and technology factors - this report considers how best the NHS should now exploit the potential of telehealth.
Public Health White Paper
2 December 2010
This is a new era for punlic health, with a higher priority and dedicated resources. This White Paper otlines their commitment to protecting the population from serious health threats;helping people live longer, healthie and more fulfilling lives; and improving the health of the poorest, faster. The goal is a public health service that achieves excellent results, unleashing innovation and liberating professional leadership.
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