Telehealth

Telehealth is an emerging form of telecare. At the moment primary care trusts and some GPs use telehealth equipment to monitor the vital signs of people who have long term illnesses such as coronary pulmonary obstruction disease (COPD) or diabetes.

There are pilot schemes in all parts of the UK which are collecting evidence to show the important role that a telehealth service can have in healthcare. Feedback shows that people using telehealth systems are comfortable with the equipment and are able to self-manage their conditions and their wellbeing. There is also the added bonus of not having to visit hospital and attend clinics for regular tests as the important information which doctors need is provided through the telehealth monitoring equipment.

You should contact your GP, hospital consultant or local telecare provider to find out if they are involved in these pilot schemes. In the future the availability of telehealth equipment is likely to be widespread and used to monitor and assess other conditions too.