Standards Development
The telecare and telehealth industry is undergoing rapid change. Maintaining standards within this changing environment is a challenge. TSA understands the quality needs of the industry. Service providers are in constant dialogue with the TSA, to develop relevant and challenging standards that takes the industry forward during this period of transformation. Its code, the Telecare Code of Practice, is the only national standard that has been written to reflect the needs of the commissioners, the service providers and, perhaps most importantly, the needs of the service user.
The TSA has been committed to standards for the industry since its inception in 1995. In 2009, the latest updated Code of Practice was launched. The updated Code is the result of the biggest consultation exercise ever undertaken by TSA - based on 16 months of research, negotiations and revisions. More than 300 organisations were actively involved, and their work, views and opinions helped to shape the Code that we have today. In developing the new Code of Practice, TSA worked closely with service commissioners at national levels, including the Department of Health's Care Services Improvement Partnership, the Scottish Telecare Programme Board and the Welsh Government, and the insight, support and commitment from these organisations were instrumental in the new code development process.
Telehealth quality is high on the agenda, and the TSA is currently developing a Telehealth Code of Practice for the industry. An integrated Telecare and Telehealth Code of Practice will be finalised during 2012. TSA is also a leading partner in TeleSCoPE, a European project developing standards for telehealth.
TSA works closely with BSI (British Standards Institute), and facilitated the development of a new standard, BS8521, to further enhance interoperability for the delivery of Telecare products.
Reasons for Accreditation
The Telecare Services Association developed the Telecare Code of Practice for use by telecare service providers to ensure quality standards for service delivery and, critically, to assist commissioners in identifying quality providers. Telecare is a life-critical service, which service users rely on 24/7. Accreditation offers confidence and reassurance that telecare will deliver for the service user and their families when it is needed and is a valuable tool for service commissioners.
Being code accredited sends the message to the industry that an organisation offers a guaranteed reliable level of service. It also leads to confidence and reassurance from the service user as they know help will be at hand if there ever is an emergency.
Having the accreditation will also help the service provider when it comes to applying for a contract which has been put up for tender. Having services accredited gives them a competitive edge over a provider who is not accredited.
The accreditation can also act as a catalyst for business growth, as commissioners would be more likely to seek an accredited service.
For more information regarding Standards and the TSA Telecare Code of Practice, and the developing Telehealth Code, please visit the Standards page of the website.
If you are interested in joining the TSA, please visit the Join section of the website for more information regarding TSA Membership.
