Tunstall Telehealthcare Blog

NHS Cornwall plans to extend telehealth to 30,000 patients

2012-01-25T11:25:00.000Z

NHS Cornwall has revealed it plans to ensure 30,000 patients benefit from telehealth in the county over the next five years. Cornwall’s plans reflect the Department of Health’s recently announced ‘3millionlives’ campaign, which aims to transform the lives of three million people through the use of telehealth and telecare over the next five years.

Dave Tyas, Telehealth Manager for Peninsula Community Health in Cornwall said 30,000 patients is “ambitious”, but he wanted more people in the county to benefit.

Cornwall is one of three main sites involved in the Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) programme, in which 1,000 patients from Cornwall took part in a trial of the remote healthcare technology.

Dave added: “As its early pioneers, we are determined to stay ahead of the game and ensure that as many local patients as possible benefit from this. What we’re trying to do is provide services to keep people in their own homes so they don’t have to travel unnecessarily.”

Tunstall’s telehealth solutions are being used extensively in the WSD programme, with thousands of systems deployed to service users in Cornwall, Kent and Newham.

There is more on this story at BBC News Cornwall

Discharging too early increases hospital readmissions, says experts

2012-01-19T09:27:00.000Z

According to new figures published in the Daily Telegraph, more than half of hospital beds cut in the past year were for elderly patients as NHS cost cutting takes its toll on older people.

According to a survey, in which 172 NHS trusts were asked how many beds they had closed, a total of 469 hospital beds had been cut since April 2010; of these, 259 were specifically elderly beds.

Dr Ian Donald, policy chair at the British Geriatrics Society and consultant geriatrician at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Hospitals are desperate to cut costs and we are coming under pressure to discharge people or shift people elsewhere, perhaps earlier than might be appropriate. However people have to understand there is a person at the end of this and they would be better served by staying in one place.”

Ministers recently warned that patients were being treated like “parts on a production line” after it was revealed the number of patients returning to hospital as an emergency within a month of discharge had risen by 75%.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association said: “Many patients would prefer to be treated at home, but we know community services are patchy across the country. The elderly population in the UK is expanding – when will the Government realise that we must invest in the long term health of our generation?”

Tunstall has long-held that telehealthcare is an essential solution that could reduce costs, improve the quality of patient care and drive innovation and growth in the NHS. By utilising both telehealth and telecare, trusts can ensure patients remain living at home for longer and reduce hospital admissions, readmissions and potential long-term residential care.

You can find out more here

NHS Oldham Launches New Telehealth Scheme to Support Patients with Long-Term Conditions

2012-01-10T13:17:00.000Z

NHS Oldham and Oldham Council are working in partnership with Tunstall to provide patients with advanced telehealth solutions that will support them in the management of their long-term conditions.

The programme will involve up to 150 patients who have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), who will benefit from being supported in their own homes by Tunstall’s telehealth solutions. COPD patients have been selected initially based on national evidence showing the benefits of telehealth for patients with long-term conditions.

Dr Ian Wilkinson, who is a local GP and accountable officer for Oldham NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We believe this new scheme is key to improving the way that long-term conditions are managed and will offer care closer to home. It means we can make sure the care that is provided is more efficient, while at the same time improving the effectiveness and the convenience of these services for our patients.

You can read more about the programme Here

Integrating health and social care should be a priority, says PM

2012-01-05T14:12:00.000Z

Prime Minister David Cameron recently announced plans to bring health and social care services together in order to support patients more effectively, in a move that has been noted as the NHS’s most urgent overhaul.

As it currently stands, health and social care are two different systems in England. The first move towards creating joined-up services will see Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, drive changes to health and social care to ensure it is a priority for the NHS. The transformation will likely make life more convenient for patients, improve care and save the NHS money.

Care services minister, Paul Burstow, said: “Integrated care should be the norm. Our ambition for the NHS and social care is a simple one – to achieve better results for people and carers. Our priority is to orientate the whole system around patients, service users and carers through our Outcomes Framework.”

Integrated health and social care services have already been successfully implemented in a few parts of England and Northern Ireland. NI Health Minister Edwin Poots recently launched a clinically-led telemonitoring service in partnership with the TF3 consortium, which will help to improve health outcomes for patients through better engagement with clinicians and enhanced self-management.

Mr Poots said: “This is at the very heart of where our health service needs to go – we need to be more flexible, put the patient at the centre and ensure more people have the chance to stay at home with their families.”

You can read more about David Cameron’s plans here

Bringing care closer to home with telehealth

2011-12-21T11:54:00.002Z

BBC News Online has reported on the latest telehealth results from the Whole System Demonstrator site in Cornwall, where Tunstall has been heavily involved in providing telehealth technology to patients with long-term conditions.

Patients across Cornwall have been provided with wireless personal telehealth monitors to enable them to manage their conditions remotely, saving them unnecessary visits to their GP. The telehealth technology has also been provided to residents on the remote Isle of Scilly, where patients living in isolated communities can be monitored without having to travel long distances for routine checkups.

Dave Tyas, telehealth manager for Peninsula Community Health in Cornwall said: “Telehealth is about bringing care closer to home. It is evolving all the time, and we are continually evaluating things. This technology doesn’t replace face-to-face visits, in fact we are actually contacting them more regularly but just in a different way.

You can read the full article here

TF3 Consortium to provide large-scale telemonitoring service in Northern Ireland

2011-12-13T15:51:00.002Z

Health Minister Edwin Poots has launched a remote telemonitoring healthcare system in Northern Ireland, which will benefit up to 20,000 patients over the next 6 years. The telemonitoring service, which will be provided by the TF3 Consortium, will help to reduce the pressure on frontline services by enabling people to be cared for in the community – a key aspect of the Government’s ambition for health services in Northern Ireland.

Mr Poots said: “Connect Health is quite a simple concept – by using companies with innovative technologies and products, we enable more patients to manage their conditions at home which means fewer visits to hospital and provides opportunities for local companies to reap the rewards.”

Simon Arnold, Director of TF3 says: “The managed services that the TF3 Consortium provides are key to minimising unplanned hospital admissions, accelerating discharge and enabling clinicians to improve patient care through remote monitoring.”

To read more about the launch, click here

Tunstall's UK Health and Social Care Director talks to EHI TV about the latest WSD results

2011-12-08T14:54:00.005Z

David Cockayne, Tunstall’s UK Health and Social Care Director, has been interviewed on EHI TV to discuss the latest results from the Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) programme, which were released earlier this week.

David said: “The fact that telehealth has produced a 45% reduction in mortality rates is a great success for the trial, and as these are just the initial results everyone is excited to see later in the year, what it might look like at some detailed level. The results really justify the clinical case that our organisation and many others have been working on, and gives a great clinical backing to what we have been trying to achieve.”

Tunstall's solutions are being used extensively in the WSD programme, with thousands of systems deployed to service users in Cornwall, Newham and Kent.

You can watch David’s full EHI TV interview here

Tunstall's CEO Explains the Benefits of Telehealth on BBC Radio 2

2011-12-07T09:46:00.002Z

Our CEO Gil Baldwin spoke to the Simon Mayo drivetime show on BBC Radio 2 last night, to explain the benefits of telehealth following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the results from the Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) telehealth programme, on Monday.

Gil told the show’s Rebecca Pike which people telehealth is aimed at, how it works, what it can achieve, and how that helps to improve patient care and deliver significant efficiency gains to the NHS.

To listen to Gil on the Simon Mayo show, click ‘listen now’ and fast-forward to 1 hour 39 minutes.

Telehealth Strongly Validated By First Results from Whole System Demonstrator Programme

2011-12-05T18:13:00.002Z

The first results from the Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) programme have proven definitively the effectiveness of telehealth in improving services and outcomes for patients with long-term conditions, according to Tunstall.

The WSD programme involved 6,191 patients with one of three long-term conditions (diabetes, heart failure or COPD) and 238 GP practices across three sites in Cornwall, Kent and Newham. The randomised results, drawn from a minimum 12 months’ data on 3,030 participants, show that telehealth delivered:

• 45% reduction in mortality rates

• 15% reduction in A&E visits

• 20% reduction in emergency admissions

• 14% reduction in elective admissions

• 14% reduction in bed days

• 8% reduction in tariff costs

Today, the Prime Minister announced the roll-out of advanced telehealth and telecare solutions to the homes of three million people over the next five years, with the aim of improving lives and putting the UK at the forefront of global healthcare.

Mr Cameron said: “Look at our approach to telehealth – getting new technology into patients’ homes so they can be monitored remotely. We’ve trialled it, it’s been a huge success, and now we’re on a drive to roll this out nationwide. The aim – to improve three million lives over the next five years. This is going to make an extraordinary difference to people.”

Gil Baldwin, CEO, Tunstall Healthcare said: “This is a fantastic example of industry and government working alongside each other to improve the lives of individuals living with long term conditions, enhancing clinical outcomes, supporting patients and doctors and saving money for the tax payer.”

Simon Arnold, Managing Director, Tunstall Healthcare added: “WSD validates the outcomes we have experienced with telehealthcare to date and verifies our business case which is based on international evidence and our work with over 80 telehealth deployments across the UK. The WSD results provide an undisputable evidence base, that clearly demonstrates reductions enhanced patient outcomes, and reductions to service utilisation in primary and secondary care.”

Tunstall’s telehealthcare solutions are being used extensively in the WSD programme, with thousands of systems deployed with WSD service users in Cornwall, Kent and Newham.

The company’s telehealth solutions enable patients to monitor their vital signs such as weight, blood pressure and oxygen levels in their own homes easily, safely and securely. The results are accessed on a daily basis by a team of clinicians who triage the patient's health outcomes. This aids with proactive case management, ensures timely and appropriate support to patients as well as promoting self-awareness and better management of their own long-term condition.

“Patients tell us that telehealth helps them to manage their condition better; gives them greater independence and peace of mind, makes them feel empowered to help themselves with their condition; has contributed to earlier diagnosis and treatment of conditions; and some believe it is stopping them from going into hospital. We do not see telehealth as replacing GP or other clinical services; this is about helping people to maintain their independence and to seek medical help at an earlier stage," said Dave Tyas, Service Improvement Manager – Telehealth and Long Term Conditions, Peninsula Community Health.

Tunstall Chosen as Northern Housing Consortium Approved Partner

2011-12-01T09:55:00.000Z

Tunstall has been chosen as an approved partner for the supply, installation and maintenance of telecare and telehealth solutions to the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), an independent non-profit organisation whose members are responsible for over 86% of social housing in the North.

The four-year agreement was divided into four lots; supply, installation, maintenance and monitoring of assisted living systems and Tunstall was successful across the entire framework.

The Northern Housing Consortium works closely with its members to understand and represent their needs, and has over twenty years experience in facilitating the procurement of products and services that assist people with care needs to live independently.

Established for over thirty years, the NHC represents over 390 members and approximately 2.6million social housing tenancies in England and Wales.

Tunstall & NHS Gloucestershire Demonstrate Telehealth Programme Success at eHealth & Telemed 2011

2011-11-29T09:06:00.002Z

Tunstall is exhibiting its advanced telehealthcare solutions at the Royal Society of Medicine’s eHealth and TeleMed 2011 event, where it will demonstrate how telehealth technology can enhance quality of life for those with long-term needs, whilst offering health and social care services cost-effective models of care.

Two speakers from NHS Gloucestershire will also be presenting their experiences of implementing a large-scale telehealth programme with Tunstall to support management of long-term conditions, as part of the event’s conference programme. Gloucester-based Dr Will Haynes will look at telehealth from the GP’s perspective; and Linda Prosser, Locality Commissioning Director; Gloucestershire PCT will discuss telehealth and its deployment throughout Gloucestershire from a commissioning perspective.

Full details of the event and conference sessions can be viewed here.

Riversmead Housing Association Chooses Tunstall’s Communicall Connect to Support New Flexicare Housing Scheme

2011-11-22T09:02:00.004Z

Riversmead Housing Association has invested in a grouped housing communications system from leading provider of telehealthcare solutions, Tunstall, to help support its new flexicare housing scheme, at Bircherley Court in Hertford.

Riversmead has installed Tunstall’s Communicall Connect system within Bircherley Court, which comes with integrated door entry, providing residents with extra security whilst encouraging them to maintain a sense of independence. The system also allows staff to communicate with residents remotely, enabling an easier, more efficient flow of communication.

Jackie Trundell, Riversmead’s Neighbourhood Services Manager, explains the reason for choosing Communicall Connect: “We were looking for a fully integrated communication and door entry system that was user friendly, provided clarity of speech, and enabled flexibility of use in a flexicare environment. The web browser system is fully telecare compatible, which provides support staff with an additional monitoring tool to compliment their care package. It is easily programmable for staff to be able to provide a tailored approach.”

To read more about the installation of Communicall Connect at Bircherley Court, click here.

Romad developer Geonovo wins UK Trade & Investment Competition

2011-11-17T15:00:00.002Z

Geonovo, the British technology designer and manufacturer of the Romad personal mobile alarm, has won a stand place at the UK Trade & Investment (UKT&I) exhibition area of the Mobile World Congress Expo in Barcelona next year.

Twelve contestants delivered proposals to a panel of industry experts, with Peter Lusty, CEO of Geonovo, presenting the winning performance. Peter said: “You never know what to expect from competitions such as this, but I believed we had a good change to win as we are a rare thing – a British company designing and developing products for companies across Europe. We have built a strong reputation by delivering a consistently high quality product in the form of the Romad.”

Tunstall markets the Romad personal mobile alarm to provide reassurance for lone workers. The device enables them to pinpoint their location and call for immediate assistance should they feel endangered or in need of help.

You can find out more about the UKT&I competition here

Tunstall showcasing new Lifeline GSM home unit at the International Telecare and Telehealth Conference (ITTC)

2011-11-14T16:00:00.001Z

This week will be previewing our new Lifeline GSM Home Unit at the International Telecare and Telehealth Conference (ITTC) held in London. The unit enables users to connect to Tunstall’s service through a mobile network, enabling those without a fixed telephone line to benefit from the support and reassurance of an advanced telecare solution immediately, without having to wait for a phone line to be installed.

The solution can also be used to help known victims of domestic violence, whose telephone lines may be intentionally tampered with, providing them with an alternative communication channel in the event of an emergency.

We will also be hosting two interactive sessions, given by leading industry professionals with real insight and experience in delivering successful mainstream telemonitoring services. The sessions will look at the issues to be considered when designing cost-effective and successful large-scale telehealth services.

If you would like to know more, come and visit us at the event on Stand 20.

Tunstall and Mears Group sign a strategic partnering arrangement to support commissioners

2011-11-10T15:07:00.001Z

Tunstall and Mears Group have today signed a strategic partnering arrangement to create an integrated, preventative service, which could enable individuals to live independently at home for longer and switch the focus to a long-term preventative approach.

Tunstall, supported by Mears, has recently secured a long-term contract with Birmingham City Council, who has invested in a city wide telecare service that is planned to benefit up to 25,000 people over 3 years.

Alan Long, Executive Director at Mears says “Our agreement means that we are able to offer a joined up service, which is very attractive for the commissioner but more importantly, the service user’s point of view. For example, people don’t want several different people coming into their home. We are focused on streamlining services.”

You can find out more about Mears Group here

GP endorses the role of telehealth at NAPC Conference

2011-11-04T09:06:00.001Z

Dr Saeed Chaudhary, a Croydon-based GP, has spoken about the role of telehealth in the management of long-term conditions at this year’s NAPC Conference. During his presentation, Dr Chaudhary spoke about the benefits that telehealth has on patient satisfaction and its potential to drive efficiency savings within the NHS.

Dr Chaudhary began using Tunstall’s telehealth solutions as a means of reducing home visits and appointments and improving the quality of telephone triage and patient satisfaction. He explained that patients using the service expected improved independence, clinical support, and psychological health, as well as an improvement to their overall quality of life.

Dr Chaudhary is an enthusiastic advocate of telehealth technology and is the clinical lead for Telehealth Croydon, supervising telehealth implementation at three separate Croydon-based practices.

You can find out more about the NAPC conference here

Intelligent use of technology will save the NHS

2011-10-26T13:48:00.002+01:00

Julia Manning, founder and chief executive of independent think-tank 2020health, has emphasised the need for radical changes in the way we use technology as a means of driving innovation in the NHS.

According to Julia, technology has progressed considerably, particularly in the design and implementation of telehealthcare, but these deployments are relatively small-scale and exceptional examples of what the industry and clinicians have pioneered themselves.

Julia said: “Unless the NHS moves into the 21st century and transforms the way it delivers services, it will continue to fall below our expectations and leave sick people vulnerable. The government needs to set the framework, standards and payment systems, then our local NHS services need to work with industry to bring healthcare into the 21st century and in many cases, into the convenience of our homes.”

This ethos is a strong endorsement for Tunstall’s long-held belief that telehealthcare is an essential solution that could reduce costs, improve the quality of patient care and drive innovation and growth in the NHS.

You can read more here

Tunstall Highlights Role of Telecare in Re-ablement at NCAS

2011-10-19T17:39:00.001+01:00

Tunstall is focusing on the role of telecare as an integral part of re-ablement programmes at this year’s National Children and Adult Services conference (NCAS), by endorsing the new GGI Board Assurance Prompt (BAP), ‘Telecare Supported Re-ablement’.

The BAP, developed by GGI, aims to promote the benefits of integrating and mainstreaming telecare into re-ablement services, enabling people to regain some or all of their ability to live independently without the need for ongoing dependence on care services. The intended audiences for the BAP are local authority councillors with an interest in Adult Social Care, local authority directors of Adult Social Services and others involved in planning, commissioning and delivery of re-ablement services.

The event is taking place at the ICC London ExCel from the 19th – 21st October. The BAP is available here.

For details about the event, click here.

NHS Plymouth Introduces Tunstall’s Telehealth Solutions to Support Patients With Long-Term Conditions

2011-10-14T15:10:00.001+01:00

NHS Plymouth has partnered with Tunstall to implement a telehealth programme that will support the management of long-term conditions (LTCs) for patients in Plymouth.

The telehealth initiative will give patients greater control over their condition, allowing them to monitor it from home with the reassurance that professional support is available if required. This will significantly reduce the hospital admission rate for patients living with LTCs, giving them greater freedom and the opportunity to live more independent lives.

NHS Plymouth’s decision to undertake a telehealth programme came about following the need to drive efficiency within its services by tackling the rising costs of treating long-term conditions whilst at the same time improving patients’ quality of life. The programme will initially be available to 100 patients living chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and/or chronic heart failure (CHF).

Jane Griffin, Lead Commissioning Manager of Long Term Conditions for NHS Plymouth, said: “We were aware of the possible benefits of telehealth from a number of schemes carried out by other PCTs, and so the decision was made to implement a small-scale programme to see if it could be as beneficial for us and our patients’ needs. This is an opportunity for NHS Plymouth to use technological advances for the benefit of our patients. Our aim is to support patients to self care and give them greater independence and we are confident that the telehealth programme will enable this to happen.”

Birmingham City Council Invests in Telecare Service to Help People Live Independently at Home

2011-10-06T16:31:00.002+01:00

Birmingham City Council has invested £14 million in a large-scale, city-wide telecare service in partnership with Tunstall. The deployment, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, will ensure safety and support for older and vulnerable residents whilst maximising their independence.

The telecare service, which is planned to benefit up to 27,000 people in Birmingham over three years, combines a response service with a range of telecare solutions from Tunstall, including motion detectors and temperature sensors to support older people and those with long-term needs. By making the strategic decision to extend the telecare service provision to more people, the Council expects to create a systemic shift towards early intervention and preventative services, to meet growing demand for increasingly personalised care packages.

Councillor Sue Anderson, cabinet member for Adults and Communities, said: “We are proud to provide services that mean vulnerable adults across the city can continue to live independently with the additional reassurance that they are being monitored 24 hours a day. This partnership marks a significant milestone in how we are improving the lives of adults we support throughout the city and will ensure more adults can remain in their own homes, reducing the need for hands-on home care or a move into residential care.”

Read the full article here.

Nottinghamshire County Council provides telecare solutions from Tunstall to support older and disabled people at home

2011-10-04T15:28:00.003+01:00

Nottinghamshire County Council is providing a countywide telecare service as part of a new partnership with Tunstall, to help keep older and disabled residents safer in the home. As part of the partnership, the council will be providing a new service for unpaid carers across Nottinghamshire. This service will supply telecare technology along with portable pager alerts for carers, allowing them to carry on with their daily routines whilst ensuring they are always aware of any triggered alerts.

Councillor Stuart Wallace, Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “We live in an ageing population with more and more people diagnosed with dementia each year. This technology will help many others to continue to live in their own homes and give their families peace of mind that they are protected around the clock.”

A small weekly charge is made for the telecare scheme, which uses the existing home phone line to connect the sensors to the monitoring centre. There are no other charges for the service for people who have had a County Council assessment and are eligible for social care support or carer services.

You can find out more here

Lord Green Visits Tunstall During International Trading Campaign

2011-09-29T11:13:00.001+01:00

The UK Trade and Investment Minister, Lord Green, visited Tunstall’s headquarters yesterday, during a tour to see the region’s pioneers of international trade and investment.

During the visit, Lord Green was shown Tunstall’s innovative solutions and manufacturing facilities and how the company’s telehealth and telecare solutions are being used by Governments, public sector bodies and private organisations worldwide to support existing healthcare provision, promote independent living and offer a cost-effective, personalised alternative to institutional care.

Lord Green commented: “My visit to Yorkshire provided an opportunity to meet businesses in the region who are leading the way in exporting on the global stage, and to emphasise to others how important exporting is to developing their business and securing their futures in markets around the world.”

Read more about Lord Green's campaign here.

Tunstall Acquires AMAC

2011-09-23T11:44:00.000+01:00

American Medical Alert Corp (AMAC) a leading provider of remote health monitoring and 24/7 communication services has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Tunstall Healthcare Group Limited.

Based in New York, AMAC has two business divisions. The first is Health and Safety Monitoring Systems (HSMS), which includes a rich portfolio of remote patient monitoring devices and services including personal emergency response systems (PERS), mobile PERS, medication management and telehealth. The second division is Telephony Based Communication Services (TBCS), AMAC’s contact center services group, which provides concierge level communication services to all types of healthcare entities, including physician groups, hospitals, homecare and the pharmaceutical industry.

Gil Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer of Tunstall commented “AMAC will make a great addition to the Tunstall Group. We share the same vision and complement each other in a number of areas. AMAC will support our ambitious growth plans in the United States. As one of the largest providers of PERS in the US with 75,000 subscribers nationwide and a strong reach within hospital systems, home healthcare, government agencies and senior living facilities, I believe there will be far reaching benefits for all of our customers, partners and employees of the Group.”

Chichester Careline Enhances Personal Alarm Service with Call Monitoring System from Tunstall

2011-09-19T17:00:00.002+01:00

Chichester Careline has enhanced its 24-hour personal alarm service with a call monitoring and management system upgrade from Tunstall. The latest PNC6 system provides the centre with a next-generation solution that enhances call handling, and offers automated management reports and an integrated voice recording system to improve service delivery.

Established by Chichester District Council in 1987, the Careline centre supports nearly 21,000 service users from Chichester and the surrounding area and handles an average of 2,000 calls a day. Chichester Careline provides a range of telecare solutions that enable residents to live safe and independent lives with immediate access to support.

Brenda Jackson, Centre Manager at Chichester Careline said, “We have worked with Tunstall for a number of years, providing support to residents to ensure they can live independent lives knowing help is always available when needed. The recent upgrade from Tunstall’s PNC4 to the latest PNC6 system has been a seamless transition and has had positive feedback from staff.”

You can read more about it here

Tunstall Response achieves prestigious TSA Platinum Award

2011-09-15T16:58:00.005+01:00

Tunstall Response is delighted to announce they have achieved the exacting new standards set by the Telecare Services Association (TSA). As a result Response has been awarded the prestigious Platinum level status.

The Centre currently monitors around 120,000 telecare connections 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from their state-of-the-art monitoring centre in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Their highly trained, highly skilled specialist workforce helps to protect over half a million people in their own homes, sheltered housing developments and workplaces throughout the UK. Each day the Centre receives 3500-4000 calls.

A core performance standard in achieving platinum status is that 98.5% of emergency calls are consistently answered in under 60 seconds.

The TSA audited all aspects of the Monitoring Centre, including not only time taken to answer calls, but also that all appropriate procedures are followed, that sensitive personal data is well protected and that staff are well trained and work in comfortable conditions.

Halton & St Helens Benefits from Tunstall’s Telehealth Service for Patients With Long-Term Conditions

2011-09-12T14:10:00.001+01:00

The Halton and St Helens Division of Bridgewater Community Health Services has reported on the success of a 12-month telehealth project, undertaken in partnership with Tunstall and Sefton Careline, which has reduced unnecessary hospital admissions and enabled early discharge for people with long-term conditions.

A recent evaluation of the 12-month telehealth project, which involved 104 patients, revealed substantial cost savings with the service almost halving the average length of hospital stays for patients, and reducing emergency admissions by almost 30%.

Mike Ore, Head of Service Delivery at the Halton and St Helens’ Division of Bridgewater Community Health Services said: “Deploying the telehealth system for community-based care enabled us to empower patients, reduce anxiety, and promote independence, improving overall quality of life. Telehealth also educates patients to be aware of their symptoms and how to proactively manage them, reducing part of the pressure on healthcare providers. This can be seen as an excellent example of innovative partnership work being undertaken by Community Health Services and Sefton Careline.”

Department of Health to press ahead with telehealth

2011-09-07T16:38:00.001+01:00

Results from the largest telehealthcare trial in the world could ‘significantly change how GPs interact with their patients’, according to Professor Stanton Newman, lead DH investigator for the Whole System Demonstrator pilot.

The trial, which has been running since 2006 across 238 GP practices with more than 6,000 patients, was commissioned in order to find out how technology can help people manage their own health while maintaining their independence.

Professor Stanton said: “It could potentially change the way healthcare is delivered quite significantly. It could decrease hospitalisations and admissions and if effective, it could have an immediate impact on how we deliver services.”

Professor Stanton added that ministers were eager to quickly integrate the findings into primary care. He said: “One of the enduring difficulties in healthcare is how to translate research into practice. Clearly having commissioned the research, the DH would want to see the evidence and there is likely to be a willingness on their part to implement what is shown to be evidence-based.”

You can read more here

‘Move care into the community’ says Lord Crisp

2011-09-02T13:47:00.002+01:00

Former NHS chief executive, Lord Crisp, has shared his concerns about ‘overcapacity in the hospital sector’, resulting from an ageing population and an increase in the number of people living with long-term conditions.

In an interview with the BBC, Lord Crisp suggested improving and developing community care, to free up hospital resources and to cope with the changing population.

Lord Crisp said, “The challenge now is dealing with the numbers of older people and those with long-term conditions. They need supporting in the community.

"That means a shift away from hospitals. There will be less need for large hospital outpatient departments and some services and whole hospitals will need to close or be merged with others."

The King’s Fund and the NHS Confederation have also suggested scaling back on hospital care, as more industry leaders look for new ways to deal with the current situation surrounding both the NHS and those who use it.

Telehealthcare supports people with long-term conditions, preventing hospital visits whilst helping them to live more independently, with greater control over their condition. The use of telehealth and telecare has already saved the NHS millions of pounds, whilst providing a more convenient alternative for those living with these conditions.

South Tyneside celebrates 25 years of emergency alarm service

2011-08-25T16:48:00.001+01:00

South Tyneside’s Telecare and Community Alarm Service has recently celebrated its 25th year of assistance, providing support to the elderly and those with long-term conditions. The service, which uses Tunstall’s telecare solutions, currently handles over 13,000 calls each month and provides a year-round emergency response to over 4,500 borough residents.

Councillor Sewell said: “The Telecare and Community Alarms Service really is a fantastic scheme. It gives users peace of mind knowing that the services of experienced staff are available at the touch of a button if they are ever in distress. It is one of the best services we have, and to be marking 25 years is a great achievement.”

The service has received national praise with several awards for best practice from the Telecare Services Association (TSA), which represents councils and other organisations that deploy community alarm services.

You can read about the milestone anniversary here

Empower patients with telehealth technology

2011-08-19T11:11:00.001+01:00

InPharm has published an in-depth profile on Sir John Oldham, who is responsible for improving the NHS’ approach towards long-term conditions, which currently accounts for an estimated 70% of the total health and social care budget.

According to Sir John, unscheduled and emergency admissions represent one of the biggest burdens on NHS resources. In order to tackle this, he encourages the use of telehealth as a means of empowering patients, enabling them to effectively manage their own conditions and prevent any further unplanned hospital admissions. He also promotes the use of ‘virtual wards’ and the self-monitoring and management of medication.

Healthcare is going through a technological revolution, with an increased emphasis on the digitisation of public services. Sir John said: “Soon it will be the Facebook generation who will want to download an application to monitor their diabetes on their phone. They will happily input their data and pull the necessary resources as they need them.”

This endorses Tunstall’s long-held belief that telehealthcare, is a key solution to the ever-growing pressures on the NHS.

You can read the full article here

Telehealth Deployment Leads to 50% Reduction in Hospital Visits For Residents in North Yorkshire and York

2011-08-10T14:32:00.007+01:00

An article in The Northern Echo reports that there has been a 50% reduction in unplanned hospital visits since the deployment of telehealth in Yorkshire, as patients are now able to monitor their conditions at home, helping to minimise avoidable A&E admissions.

As we reported last year, Tunstall partnered with NHS North Yorkshire and York (NYY) to carry out a telehealth pilot, which has now become the largest-scale programme running in the UK, with more than 400 people being referred to the scheme.

Early results have been extremely positive with 96% of users saying they would recommend it to others, and 98% of users saying they are ‘satisfied’ or ‘highly satisfied’ with the service.

Read the article here.

Guardian live discussion recommends telecare

2011-08-02T17:31:00.003+01:00

The Guardian Professional Network has rounded up the best advice from its recent live discussion: Providing Services for Older People, which offers a variety of recommendations to those responsible for the design and delivery of social care to the older generation.

Participants included senior members of health and social care organisations, whose collective aim is to empower older people and assist them in living independent lives.

A senior commissioning manager pointed out the benefits of telecare in social care packages, which helps to promote independence whilst providing access to medical assistance if needed. This has proven to be highly effective in enabling older people to live in their own homes for longer, whilst reducing the number of avoidable A&E admissions.

Another prominent point was that care should be approached as a package, not individual elements, as an associate locality director of an NHS Foundation Trust says: “There are gaps in how services are provided which leads to a significant number of readmissions and delayed discharges as services are not joined up. In older people's mental health services, the need for a holistic assessment of the person's physical and mental health needs are key to maintaining and supporting the person and their carer to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. This requires a commitment from all services to work together to achieve this.”

Read more about the live discussion here

‘Keeping people out of hospital – avoiding emergency admissions’

2011-07-25T16:24:00.002+01:00

An article published today on Pulse states that emergency admissions account for 65% of hospital bed days in England, disrupting the lives of patients and restricting the ability of acute hospitals to provide elective care to others.

The article claims that avoiding emergency admissions is ‘likely to be a critical factor in the success of GP led commissioning’, and offers advice on what commissioners can do to reduce the frequency of unplanned admissions.

The main theme throughout is that of avoidance and prevention, advising commissioners to understand the conditions they are dealing with and choose more appropriate ways to treat them, to reduce the number of unnecessary A&E visits. Many emergency admissions are from patients with long-term conditions (LTCs), such as heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and so finding new ways to manage those conditions is essential if admissions of this type are to be reduced.

Self-management is often a successful approach, and evidence shows that patients report living ‘better lives’ when put in control of their own health. Telehealthcare enables them to have such control, helping them to feel empowered and safe, knowing that help is at hand if needed.

The article also suggests integrating health and social care, which is particularly successful amongst the elderly and those living with LTCs, as well as using telehealthcare to enable patients to live more independently in their own homes, easing the strain on NHS Trusts, A&E staff and resources.

Patients living with long-term conditions often go to hospital as they struggle to cope with their illness and suddenly require emergency treatment. If commissioners are to succeed in reducing the number of emergency admissions, providing patients with alternative care in the home will play a key part in helping them to achieve this.

‘Prevention Works’ says APPG Report

2011-07-20T15:13:00.004+01:00

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has published a report based on its inquiry into ‘Living Well At Home’, which highlights the benefits of preventative measures in the care of elderly people.

The report states that more than half of NHS spending is on people over 65, and the number of those aged 65+ is set to increase by 6.6million over the next 25 years.

Telecare has long been an enabler for helping people to live safely and independently in their own homes, however up until now, uptake has been slow.

Earlier this year, Mears Group partnered with Tunstall to encourage councils to consider using telecare as part of their elderly care services, by offering free telecare in return for a share of the consequential savings.

The report concludes with calls for improved planning and broader consideration into the future of care for older generations, with a ‘clear requirement’ that ‘housing issues are included in the remit of the local health and wellbeing boards proposed for England in the health bill’.

Read the APPG inquiry report here.

Advanced digital technologies could enhance telehealthcare, according to white paper

2011-07-13T09:39:00.002+01:00

David Cameron has announced the government’s new emphasis on the digitisation of public services, following the release of the Open Public Services white paper this week.

The document outlines the government’s plan to create a “digital marketplace, opening up government data information, applications and services to other organisations and including the promotion of open application program interfaces for all suitable digital services”.

It specifically discusses the emergence of telehealth and telecare, the uptake and wider deployment of which, according to the white paper, could be “significantly enhanced” by the utilisation of new digital technologies.

You can read more about the white paper on E-Health Insider

GGI unveils new report

2011-07-08T14:39:00.004+01:00

A new report from the Good Governance Institute (GGI) has been unveiled at the 2011 NHS Confederation conference, which aims to promote the benefits of mainstreaming telehealth services whilst providing in-depth implementation guidance for use by Boards and senior decision makers.

The report, Better care for people with long-term conditions, highlights the challenges that currently exist in the healthcare sector and includes a set of detailed recommendations for healthcare commissioners, providers and policy makers to ensure those deploying telehealth services address critical governance, quality and safety issues.

More than 30 senior professionals from across the NHS and wider healthcare sector have contributed to the work, which is part of a growing series considering the issues surrounding better governance of healthcare organisations.

The report and supporting documents are available here.

Strategic Society Centre says telecare entitlement should be universal

2011-07-05T11:47:00.000+01:00

The Strategic Society Centre has published a new report, Telecare Ready: Creating a universal entitlement to telecare, as part of its Care Funding Futures work programme. The report calls on the Government to create a universal entitlement to telecare support.

The programme was launched in 2010, to provide independent and objective thought leadership and space for debate on the challenge of long-term care funding reform.

The new report, supported by Tunstall, highlights the need for the implementation of a new strategic framework for telecare policy, which includes a clear and consistent national entitlement and assessment model for telecare, with funding independent from council decisions. It also calls for a telecare service that is free at the point of use, regardless of wealth, or applies some low-level weekly charges.

The full report can be downloaded here.

Tunstall Provides a Life-Saving Service for People with Hearing Difficulties

2011-07-01T13:22:00.001+01:00

Tunstall has partnered with Sefton Borough Council and Merseyside Fire and Rescue to provide a community alarm service for families affected by hearing impairments, implementing life-saving telecare solutions that enhance fire safety in the household and promote independent living.

Tunstall’s Hearing Impairment Kit includes Tunstall’s Lifeline Connect+ home unit with personal trigger, along with a range of telecare sensors such as smoke detectors, pager alert and a pillow alert pad, which vibrates to alert the user that the smoke detector has raised an alarm.

Sefton Careline currently has a community care budget of £74,000 per year which helps to support 300 people with sensory impairments using telecare, provided on assessed need rather than means tested or age related.

The most positive outcome from the provision of the service is that no one using it has been injured in a fire in their home, highlighting how telecare can provide enhanced safety for people with hearing impairments.

Read the article here.

Government should create a universal entitlement to telecare, according to new think-tank

2011-06-29T12:23:00.002+01:00

The government should create a universal entitlement to telecare, according to a recent report carried out by the Strategic Society Centre.

The report outlines how telecare should be a free or relatively cheap service for all users, following in the footsteps of Sunderland City Council who currently charge £4 per week. Telecare should also transcend the means-tested local authority social care system and pull together potential users through the disability benefits system and carers’ support services.

James Lloyd, Director of the Strategic Society Centre said: “The state currently funds 60% of older people living in residential care, but restricts the availability of telecare support, despite it being a fraction of the cost of residential care, and prove to enable individuals to live in their own homes for longer. Telecare can reduce demand for care, reduce the burden on informal carers and save money for the state and families. ”

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK said: “This is a report that shows how to make the telecare system more efficient. Telecare could make a real difference to so many older people by making them safer and more secure in their own home.”

You can read the full article on Public Service

QOF should further promote telecare, according to UK research

2011-06-22T11:33:00.004+01:00

A recent article published on GPOnline has highlighted the important role of telehealthcare in chronic diseases, discussing how valuable QOF (Quality and Outcome Framework) indicators could be in boosting the uptake of remote monitoring devices.

Following an evaluation of telecare use in the UK, led by Professor Carl May of Southampton University, the researchers found that telecare could improve care provisions for older people to enable them to live in their homes for as long as possible. However according to the patients, primary care professionals and NHS managers who took part in the study, the lack of government leadership and support for telecare has meant the speed of integration has been slow.

According to the researchers, the adoption of telecare has been relatively ‘slow and uneven’ despite the government’s promotion of remote monitoring and several large-scale demonstration pilots.

The DoH commented that it had been running the world’s largest telehealth and telecare evaluations for the past two years, using the results to lead the way for future service development.

To read more, click here

NHS Gloucestershire Manages Long-term Conditions with Telehealth

2011-06-16T15:43:00.005+01:00

NHS Gloucestershire is to implement a large-scale telehealth programme in partnership with Tunstall to support the management of long-term conditions, reducing the number of hospital admissions and improving patient outcomes.

Gloucestershire has a population of more than 600,000 people with approximately 6,000 living with a long-term condition (LTC). The telehealth programme will complement the changing nature of healthcare to provide care in the right place at the right time for people who need it.

The provision of telehealth will be extended to 2,000 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic heart disease (CHD) and diabetes.

As part of the programme, Tunstall will also work with local clinicians across both secondary and primary care to redesign care pathways and implement clinical protocols which will see telehealth as a viable option for managing patients.

You can read about the telehealth programme on Public Technology.

Tunstall named as HealthInvestor’s Telehealthcare Provider of the Year

2011-06-07T12:50:00.006+01:00

Tunstall has been named HealthInvestor’s Telehealth/Telecare Provider of the Year at this year's awards ceremony held in London.

The award recognises Tunstall’s innovative partnerships, and its approach to mainstreaming telehealthcare through the implementation of pioneering projects.

You can find out more about the awards here

The emerging ‘Ageing in Place’ market

2011-06-03T13:48:00.002+01:00

Peter Aylett, Director of Professional Development at The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), has spoken about the emerging ‘Ageing in Place’ market in the UK, which is defined as the ability to live in one’s own home for as long as confidently and comfortably possible.

With an increasing ageing population, the government plans to adopt a strategy that will cater for the future and ease the economic burden. It is widely acknowledged that one of the ways tackle this is to support people in their own homes wherever possible, enabling them to live more fulfilling lives and out of long-term residential care.

Peter Aylett said: “The current annual NHS budget is around £120 billion with an estimated 14 million people with long-term conditions that need to be managed. Tele-healthcare will enable future governments to minimise their healthcare costs, and ensure that individuals can stay in their homes well into old age.”

Telehealth and telecare technology provides valuable support to people with long-term health and care needs, promoting independence and improving quality of life.

To find out more, click here

Tunstall partners with NHS Tameside and Glossop to deploy fully-managed telehealth service

2011-05-26T16:09:00.003+01:00

NHS Tameside and Glossop is to deploy a telehealth service from Tunstall which will enhance care provision for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and help the Trust meet QIPP targets.

With the number of COPD patients expected to rise by 16%, the service will play a key role in helping the Trust to provide the support needed to enable patients to manage their conditions more effectively.

The key to the telehealth service’s success has been the collaborative effort of both the Trust and Tunstall to deliver a fully managed service, which meets the needs of its users and generates significant cost savings to overcome current financial challenges.

A total of 60 patients are using Tunstall’s mymedic and icp triagemanager solutions, supporting integrated patient-centred care. The mymedic unit allows patients to monitor their blood pressure, oxygen levels, weight and temperature and also asks a series of health-related questions.

Following the initial deployment, the Trust intends to evaluate and review the pilot with a view to developing the service by rolling it out to more patients, with the potential to also include the provision of telehealth to patients with heart failure.

You can read about the deployment on The Guardians’ Healthcare Network

GPs told to cut hospital attendance by 15% in a year

2011-05-23T11:37:00.003+01:00

An investigation carried out by Pulse has found how PCTs and health boards across the country are demanding a 15% reduction in unscheduled hospital admissions for patients with long-term conditions by April 2012, ahead of the planned projections set out by the Department of Health.

Sir John Oldham, DH national clinical lead for quality and productivity, had previously warned GPs that by 2014, they would need to cut unscheduled admissions for patients with long-term conditions by a fifth, and help reduce A&E attendance by 10% and length of stay by 25%.

These reductions in hospital activity rely on GPs implementing models of care that utilise methods such as integrated care, care redesign and telehealth in order to promote self-care and reduce unplanned hospital admissions.

NHS North Staffordshire has called in private providers to implement admission avoidance strategies, including Tunstall who are delivering a telehealth scheme to reduce emergency hospital admissions for patients with long-term conditions.

You can read the full article here

Telehealth will help meet the growing demand for care

2011-05-18T14:05:00.001+01:00

A GP in charge of one of the country’s first pathfinder consortia has recognised telehealth as an innovative solution to meet the growing demand for care, following the government’s plans to devolve the rationing decisions to family doctors.

Dr David Rooke provides care and support to over 14,000 patients at his surgery in Somerset. By 2013, he could be in charge of a £600 million budget for more than half a million patients throughout Somerset.

He currently operates a telehealth scheme at his Bridgewater surgery, providing patients with telehealth equipment from Tunstall Healthcare that enables them to monitor important vital signs such as blood pressure and oxygen levels.

Len Miller, 60, has been using the equipment for the past year to manage his own long-term condition. Before the scheme was introduced, Mr Miller had to be admitted to hospital twice a week with severe breathing difficulty. He now never has to go back for emergency treatment.

The full article is available here

Sensors from Tunstall help people with dementia live longer at home

2011-05-17T09:20:00.001+01:00

East Riding Council is carrying out a telecare pilot project which aims to help people with dementia live at home for longer.

Thirty residents from the East Riding area will be provided with a personalised telecare package from Tunstall Healthcare, including a range of sensors that will monitor door activity and bed vacancy.

The project will run until the autumn, at which point researchers will decide whether it should have a wider roll out across the county.

Head of adult services at East Riding Council, Rosy Pope said: “This is about maintaining peoples’ independence in a non-intrusive way, ensuring people who would benefit from telecare are not excluded on the basis of dementia.”

The researchers will also study the impact of a second project, installing Tunstall’s telehealth equipment in the homes of sixty people in the East Riding with long-term conditions such as CHD and COPD.

The full article can be found on the Yorkshire Post here

New report examines the impact of telecare services on unpaid carers

2011-05-09T10:29:00.002+01:00

A new report has been published by the IRISS (Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services), which examines the impact of telecare services on unpaid carers in Scotland, and considers its implications on policy and practice.

Unpaid carers are the largest group of care providers in Scotland. Although carers often feel positive about their role, the demands of caring can have an adverse impact on their health and well being.

Telecare services offer an effective solution for supporting carers in their caring role, freeing them from unnecessary stress and providing them with greater personal freedom.

In 2010, the University of Leeds conducted a commissioned study that sought to explicitly illuminate carers’ experiences of and the understandings about telecare, exploring the impact that telecare can have on a range of carers’ in Scotland.

The study revealed that carers experienced many positive impacts of telecare; the most beneficial impact being that it ‘offered the carer peace of mind about the well-being and safety of the person they cared for.’

You can download the full report here

Managing Chronic Heart Failure- Telehealth in a Community Setting

2011-05-06T15:49:00.001+01:00

An article from Dr Richard Berkley, managing partner at The Orchard Medical Centre, has been published in Practice Business magazine, and looks at how telehealth technology from Tunstall has eased the financial burden of chronic heart failure on the NHS.

Long-term conditions like CHF impact both the NHS and individuals and it is estimated that the treatment and care of those with chronic conditions accounts for 69% of the primary and acute care budget in England. The total direct cost of diagnosing, treating and caring for patients with CHF in the UK each year is currently over £625m.

Orchard Medical Centre, a general practice situated on the outskirts of Bristol serving 13,500 patients, launched a project designed to explore how telehealth can assist people with significant heart failure at practice level and to assess the potential for using telehealth equipment in a primary care setting.

Following the two-year telehealth project, the centre found that proactive telehealth monitoring enables healthcare professionals to manage CHF more effectively and supports patients in their own homes. Findings from the project included a 46% reduction in hospital admissions and a 67% reduction in A&E attendances.

The Orchard Medical Centre has also received a prestigious healthcare industry award for its success in using telehealth from Tunstall to improve care for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Click here to find out more.

Tunstall at Managing Long Term Conditions Conference

2011-05-03T11:32:00.002+01:00

This week we will be demonstrating our latest telehealthcare solutions and showcasing results from recent telehealth deployments at this year’s Managing Long Term Conditions Conference held in Harrogate.

Tunstall’s Healthcare Strategy Director, David Cockayne, will deliver a workshop entitled “Embedding Telehealth at Scale-How to Transform the Management of Long Term Conditions”, where he will discuss Tunstall’s experience in partnering with public sector organisations to create successful telehealth programmes.

We will also explore the role of telehealthcare in the government’s health and social care reform, which aims to enhance the quality of life for those with long-term needs whilst ensuring health and social care services can deliver a cost-effective model of care.

Come and visit us at the event on Stand 50 in Hall B.

Tunstall backs NHS plans with healthy diagnosis

2011-04-28T13:55:00.002+01:00

Tunstall’s Chief Executive Gil Baldwin has commented on the Government’s planned NHS reforms and how it will provide an opportunity for the company to grow.

Speaking after a political ‘listening’ exercise, Mr Baldwin said that Tunstall had to show GP consortia it could help them make early savings if they take control of £80bn of health spending.

He said: “We have to align ourselves with the emerging GP consortia. We have to prove we are relevant to them and shift the way the health economy is delivered from payment when sick to preventing people from becoming sick so they get the best life outcome.”

Read the full article on the Yorkshire Post.

96% of North Yorkshire patients would recommend telehealth, reveals survey

2011-04-20T09:40:00.002+01:00

One of the largest surveys undertaken to capture patients’ experiences of telehealth in NHS North Yorkshire and York has found that 96% of patients would recommend the technology to others.

The survey of 200 patients, conducted by NHS North Yorkshire and York and Tunstall Response, also revealed that 98% were either ‘satisfied’ or ‘highly satisfied’ with how it is helping them manage their long term condition.

For 77-year-old Ronald Carr who has COPD, Tunstall’s telehealth equipment has been invaluable and provided the support needed to help him better manage his condition. Living in Whitby, Ronald was the first person in the area to be referred for the service, which now supports over 400 patients.

He said: “Before telehealth I would wake up in the night, not being able to breath. It got to the point that is was happening nearly every other week. But since using telehealth, I haven’t been in hospital once – it’s like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.

“I would say to anyone thinking about telehealth, go for it - don't hesitate - it’s a life saver!”

For more information about telehealth in North Yorkshire and York click here.

Why telehealth has taken off in Scotland

2011-04-18T12:31:00.001+01:00

In this article from The Guardian's website, Dr James Ferguson, the lead clinician at the Scottish Centre for Telehealth, discusses why telehealth has gained mainstream acceptance in Scotland, compared with uptake in England.

He covers the setting up the Scottish Centre for Telehealth (SCT) in 2006 by the Scottish government to support and guide the development of telehealth for clinical, managerial and educational purposes across the country, and of making it part of a national delivery organisation.

Ferguson says that Scotland was initially forced to look at telehealth because of distance and access issues involved in serving its population. "The reason we (Scotland) are ahead of it is because distance gave us an absolute need that couldn't solved by throwing resource at it," he says. However he argues that the techniques could just as easily be used in big cities if healthcare professionals can overcome the "myth" that you always have to communicate with patients face to face.

Nick Clegg Visits Linc-Cymru Housing Association

2011-04-11T17:02:00.001+01:00

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg recently visited Linc-Cymru Housing Association, and saw for himself how flexible, intelligent telecare solutions have helped older people with long-term care needs live safer and more independent lives.

Linc-Cymru Housing Association has been using Tunstall’s customised telecare packages since 2009, helping to manage risks in the home and provide tenants with access to 24-hour on-site care, giving them peace of mind and an improved quality of life.

Tina James, Linc-Cymru’s Extra Care Manager at Glyn Anwen, said: “Telecare means we can offer an increased level of support to our tenants, ensuring their safety without being intrusive. The sensors mean we are immediately aware if there’s a problem in one of the apartments, which means the tenants feel safer and the staff can work more efficiently.”

Wales has the highest rate of people living with long-term conditions in the UK, with a third of adults having at least one long-term condition and 73% of community care users having a physical disability or frailty.

Andrew Lansley says telehealth will transform the NHS

2011-04-07T11:04:00.001+01:00

While speaking at the HC2011 informatics conference in Birmingham, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley discussed how a roll-out of high-speed broadband services, working at or faster than 40Mbps would enable the wider use of telehealth services.

He said if just 1% of consultations could take place in the home, it could save around £250m annually.

The Department of Health will soon report on the Whole System Demonstrator pilot of telehealth projects. According to Lansley, this has already begun changing lives and he expects the NHS will spend more on this in the future.

He said: “Not only are we anticipating that in itself it will create potential for savings, but it will also be a route for people to reinvest savings.”

You can read the full article here.

Managing heart conditions with telehealth

2011-04-05T10:54:00.003+01:00

Here's a link to a story about a Yorkshire resident who manages his serious heart condition - dilated cardiomyopathy - using Tunstall's telehealth solutions.

The patient weighs himself, and takes his blood pressure and blood-oxygen levels using the Tunstall monitor. These vital signs are sent down the phone line to a monitoring centre for checking by his doctor and case manager. If any give cause for concern, he’s contacted directly for advice and further action.

It highlights how telehealth can play a key role in helping people with long-term conditions retain their independence.

Saxon Weald Invests in Telecare to Support Residents Living in Extra Care Housing

2011-03-30T15:10:00.000+01:00

Saxon Weald, one of the largest providers of social housing, has deployed a range of telecare solutions from Tunstall Healthcare to enhance security and safety for residents living in its Extra Care retirement housing.

The deployment at Downlands Court has significantly improved residents’ quality of life, maximised their independence and provided enhanced security for peace of mind.

Carole Holland, Extra Care Services Manager for Saxon Weald said: “Safety and security are a priority for us. We wanted to ensure maximum safety for all our residents without encroaching on their independence. The telecare solutions allow us to appropriately manage security through the property, ensuring residents’ safety whilst still promoting independent living.”

"No help here" from Local Authorities: warning from Counsel and Care

2011-03-23T15:36:00.004Z

A new report from Counsel and Care shows that its advice service is increasingly dealing with worries about older people being given incorrect and potentially illegal advice by their local authority.

It says councils are taking a "no help here stance" when asked by families, carers and older people for care assessments, despite a legal requirement for authorities to provide them.

Key issues raised in the report were:

- Older people being given incorrect and often illegal advice by their Council

- Unplanned hospital discharge, with social services not being involved in the process

- Councils not declaring a standard rate for care, and imposing ‘across the board’ requests for third party top-ups from families

Counsel and Care's chief executive, Peter Watt, said: "The report clearly shows that the changing economic climate is impacting badly on the services received by older people, their families, and carers. Simply rationing care is not a sustainable solution to supporting older people. But the pressure on Councils to deliver in–year and front loaded savings means that decisions that will deliver longer term sustainable savings are not being taken."

More details on the RTNI telehealth & telemonitoring deployment

2011-03-18T13:12:00.002Z

Here are more details on the work that the TF3 consortium, in which Tunstall is playing a key role, will be undertaking as part of the 6-year RTNI remote telemonitoring project.

You can find out more about the consortium at its website.

Tunstall takes key role in large-scale telehealth project in Northern Ireland

2011-03-16T16:01:00.000Z

A consortium comprising Tunstall Healthcare, Fold Housing Association and S3 has won a contract to supply remote monitoring services to thousands of patients with long-term conditions in Northern Ireland.

The contract is an investment by Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency of £18million over 6 years in the management of long term conditions. Patients with heart and respiratory conditions, diabetes and those who have suffered a stroke can have their vital signs, such as pulse, blood pressure and body weight, tested at home on a daily basis and monitored centrally.

The TF3 Consortium will provide the telemonitoring service, which will alert care providers to any change in their patients' daily readings that might mean a deterioration in their condition, so that they can decide whether an intervention is necessary.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "This is a wonderful achievement for the health service in Northern Ireland. The pressures on our health budget over the coming years together with challenging demographic trends such as an ageing population, mean that the health service is going to have to find new ways to ensure that we continue to provide a high quality service.

“With increasing numbers of people presenting with more and more complex needs and extremely high expectations of the health service, we must continue to provide the highest possible standard of care. There is no doubt that remote telemonitoring is a prime example of the innovation that will be required going forward.”

Tunstall at Healthcare Innovations Expo

2011-03-07T15:02:00.003Z

We will be exhibiting our latest telehealthcare solutions and highlighting the benefits from recent major telehealth deployments at this year’s NHS Innovations Expo held at London ExCel, starting Wednesday 9th March.

Alongside Ernst & Young, Tunstall will demonstrate the key role that telehealthcare will play as part of the government’s reform of health and care delivery.

Representatives from NHS North Yorkshire and York will also be on hand to discuss the recent experience of redesigning care pathways to embed telehealth in the largest Telehealth Programme in the UK.

We'll also be launching an innovate, new multi-user telehealth solution that enables a group of patients within a common location, for example a residential home, to participate in a collective telehealth programme.

Come and visit us at the event on stand 28 and in the DH i-neighbourhood area.

Tunstall a market leader in EUR1 Billion sector

2011-02-23T15:13:00.001Z

A new report by iData Research, the leading global authority in medical device and pharmaceutical market research, the European patient monitoring market has recovered from the economic recession and is expected to grow to over EUR1.2 billion by 2017, with Germany being the largest market.

Multi-parameter vital-sign devices represented the majority of the patient monitoring market in 2010, while cardiac output devices and consumables was the fastest-growing segment, increasing at over 7%.

Home telehealth was the second fastest-growing segment; however growth is forecasted to accelerate to double-digit rates over the forecast period as healthcare providers recognize the benefits of monitoring patients outside the clinical setting.

"Growth in the European telehealth market is expected to accelerate through 2017, particularly in the U.K., where pilot programs are most developed," says Dr. Kamran Zamanian, CEO of iData.

The report states that Tunstall, Medtronic, Biotronik and Philips lead the European telehealth market. iData's 15 country report series: "European Markets for Patient Monitoring Devices 2011", and its U.S. and Asia-Pacific reports include the latest data, market analyses and competitor profiles for over 24 market segments.

British Medical Journal reports on benefits of Telehealthcare for patients with long term conditions

2011-02-17T13:22:00.001Z

The British Medical Journal recently published an in-depth clinical review that discusses the benefits of deploying telehealthcare to support patients with long-term conditions.

The report considers the issues around deploying telehealthcare, with a growing interest in using it as a potential solution for the rising number of patients living with a range of LTCs including asthma, COPD, CHF and more. It also evaluates the benefits that patient-centred healthcare delivers.

You can find a synopsis of the report here.

Telecare for people with learning disabilities takes off in Bexley

2011-02-16T08:59:00.001Z

Bexley Council, a pioneer in telehealthcare and one of the first boroughs in London to introduce the technology from Tunstall, recently held an open day to showcase the telecare solutions available to support peoples' independence.

More than 70 people attended to explore the range of equipment and sensors, including a fall detector, an alarm which goes off to alert people if a person with epilepsy is having a seizure, bed occupancy sensors, medication reminders and more.

Telehealth takes off in New South Wales with Tunstall

2011-02-14T11:25:00.004Z

Tunstall has been selected by the state Government of New South Wales in Australia as one of a panel of suppliers for its Connecting Care program, a new, large-scale initiative for chronic disease management.

The program, coordinated by New South Wales Health (NSW Health), will use telehealth systems to support state residents living with long-term health conditions including diabetes, CHF, coronary artery disease, COPD and hypertension.

Over the next four years the Connecting Care program will see up to 6,000 people using telehealth solutions to monitor their health daily from their own homes.

First UK deployment for new MyAmie pendant at Dales Housing

2011-02-09T09:11:00.001Z

Dales Housing is the first organisation in the UK to use Tunstall’s new MyAmie pendant, as part of a complete upgrade of its communal alarm systems across its properties in Derbyshire.

The upgrade will see new telecare solutions from Tunstall deployed to over 800 residents in Dales’ supported and sheltered accommodation.

Fiona Innes, Sheltered and Supported Manager for Dales Housing said: “Feedback from the first residents using the new Tunstall equipment and MyAmie pendants has been extremely positive. The new equipment has further enhanced users’ independence, and their feeling of reassurance that help is always available when it’s needed.”

How telehealth in Scotland is helping the ‘Silver Tsunami’

2011-02-02T15:36:00.003Z

An article from Jim Ferguson, lead clinician for the Scottish Centre for Telehealth, published on E-Health Insider has highlighted the effects of Britain’s ageing population -- the 'silver tsunami' -- on government and public services, as the number of patients with long-term conditions approaching or already in retirement rises.

Scotland’s geographical scope can make the delivery of quality healthcare potentially challenging, which is why the Scottish Centre for Telehealth was established to guide and support the development of telehealth across Scotland, ensuring they are a global leader in telehealth services.

NHS Fife recently launched a two-year telehealth programme using Tunstall Healthcare’s ICP (integrated care platform) designed to support and educate patients with congestive heart failure. It enables them to self manage their own conditions, improving their quality of life and reducing avoidable hospital admissions.

You can read the full article here.

NHS Alliance video highlights benefits of telehealth deployment in Somerset for patients with long term conditions

2011-01-25T16:27:00.005Z

A recent video from NHS alliance has highlighted the benefits of deploying telehealth to patients in Somerset, where approximately 128,000 residents live with long-term conditions.

GPs and community nurses in Somerset are providing telehealth technology to patients who ordinarily would require regular checks in order to monitor vital signs such as blood pressure and CO2 levels. By offering them a managable and easy to use solution, these patients can effectively monitor their conditions in the home, relieving the pressure on both the NHS and community services.

Lesley Grief, a community matron based in Bridgewater, Somerset said: “Telehealth technology is a great solution for those patients living with long term conditions. It offers them added security, safe in the knowledge that if anything goes wrong, someone will quickly pick up on it and help remedy it. Many patients can feel anxious about living with a long term condition, but telehealth can relieve this anxiety by offering assistance and reassurance.”

Professionals from NHS Somerset see the benefits of using telehealth to monitor patients’ conditions. Dr Dolman, GP principle in Axbridge and Wedmore said: “Getting patients to manage their own conditions by understanding it, means they tend to use the health service less and when they do, it is in a more timely and appropriate manner”.

The full video is available on Youtube

Partnership with Mears Group will improve client outcomes whilst saving money in domiciliary care

2011-01-21T14:41:00.002Z

Tunstall Healthcare Group and Mears Group have entered into a partnership agreement to embed telecare services into Mears domiciliary care services and to jointly promote this proposition to Public Sector commissioners.

This innovative model will provide an integrated commissioning model which incorporates housing, telecare, care and repair. Two key objectives can be achieved by using Tunstall's telecare solutions as an integral part of Mears' service delivery model: improved quality of life for service users and reduced costs for service commissioners.

Jon Lowe, Managing Director, Tunstall Healthcare says: “We are delighted to be partnering with Mears to offer this integrated service to commissioners and service users. It will simplify the whole process of receiving care and support services in the home and with the introduction of Telecare, it offers a much more cost effective service which is focussed on improving client outcomes, preventing the need for more intensive interventions.”

Earl Howe positive about telehealthcare's role in NHS reform

2011-01-18T16:12:00.007Z

Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Quality at the Department of Health, delivered a speech to the King’s Fund yesterday entitled ‘Improving productivity in the NHS: Making it Happen’.

In his speech he outlined the government’s plans to tackle the current budget deficit and improve health outcomes, by following the reforms set out in the new White Paper and an ongoing delivery of the QIPP agenda.

He was particularly positive about how telehealth and telecare could be used to drive out inefficiencies in the NHS. He said: “By investing in telecare and telehealth technologies and redesigning the care pathway, we can do far more to monitor and control a patient’s condition remotely to actively prevent any potential crisis, therefore keeping people at home and out of hospital.”

He went on to say that further gains could be achieved by integrating services within local communities. This joining of health and social care into a patient-centred service in particular will be key to improving overall care while realising savings.

Major new telecare deployment in Scotland benefits over 1600 people

2011-01-13T11:33:00.006Z

Over 1,600 residents in East Renfrewshire have been provided with state-of-the-art telecare solutions from Tunstall, after £120,000 of government money was allocated to deploy technology that enables users to live independently in their own homes.

Some people, who were previously living in residential homes receiving round the clock care, now live in independent housing with the help of appropriate telecare solutions and 24-hour community support.

The telecare solutions offered to the residents include safety sensors, responsible for detecting particular household hazards such as smoke, gas fire and leaks as well as medication dispensers with set reminders. More details of the deployment are here.

When telecare truly is a lifeline

2011-01-10T10:34:00.003Z

While we usually talk about how telecare improves quality of life, enables independence and delivers budget savings, it can also be a matter of life and death -- as an elderly couple living in Wales found recently.

The couple, now living in a sheltered housing scheme in South Wales, were twice saved by their telecare system, supplied by Carmarthenshire Council. The telecare package included a carbon monoxide detector, which proved to be a lifesaver on two separate occasions.

In both cases, the Council's monitoring centre was able to raise an alert and contact the couple about the emergency before any harm was done. This story further highlights how invaluable even simple telecare solutions are, to safeguard older people in their own homes, whilst still promoting dignity and independence.

Telecare can play key role in preventing domestic violence

2011-01-04T13:07:00.002Z

Recent proposals announced by Home Secretary Theresa May recommend that people suspected of abusing a partner should be banned from visiting the family home for up to four weeks. Telecare can play a vital role in keeping victims safe and more secure during this time and beyond, enabling them to feel better protected at home.

Tunstall’s Lifeline home units and range of telecare sensors have been used for several years across the UK by those at risk of domestic abuse, and have provided a practical and effective response to ensure the safety and wellbeing of victims and their children. The units are equipped with a recording device that can let police know what is happening in the house without the victim having to communicate directly. This data can be used as evidence if a case goes to court.

In the East Riding of Yorkshire, the Tunstall solution has proved to be an invaluable tool to ensure the safety of those at risk of abuse. The council has 30 Lifeline Connect+ units deployed in the region, providing an extra layer of protection to victims and their children.

Lisa Sargeson, Lifeline Operations Manager for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “Domestic violence victims have a right to stay in their own homes in a safe environment. Tunstall’s Lifeline units help to achieve that and make a considerable difference to the lives of those thought to be at risk. People who use the solution tell us that it makes them feel more secure and confident at home, and many continue to use the technology even when the risk of violence is diminished, because of the extra security it offers.”

Details of the Home Secretary’s statement are here.

Bexley chosen as a pathfinder for new NHS commissioning

2010-12-20T10:18:00.007Z

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced that Bexley Clinical Cabinet is one of the 52 groups of ‘GP pathfinders’ who will take the lead in commissioning health services for their local populations.

He was impressed by the way Bexley GPs have been reshaping services across the borough. He said they had made the “best use of resources to create new services and improve health outcomes.”

Bexley is also a pioneer in telehealthcare, being one of the first boroughs in London to introduce the technology from Tunstall. You can read the full article here.

Further information about GP pathfinders and resources are available here

Telecare and telehealth guide from Counsel and Care

2010-12-15T14:51:00.002Z

Counsel and Care, the national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support, has launched a new, free guide on telehealth and telecare, informing readers of what it is and how to get it.

Developed together with Tunstall, the guide is available here.

Wales invests in telecare to save money

2010-12-14T12:07:00.003Z

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced additional investment in telecare services ahead of the publication of its digital strategy this week. The government said £7.3m will be spent on “invest-to-save” initiatives including telecare, and that these invest-to-save initiatives would cut costs by £14m a year and save £64m over the long term.

Telecare deployments are already advanced in the region. In September, Linc-Cymru Housing Association reported on the success of the first year of its newest Extra Care scheme in Newport, which is using flexible intelligent telecare solutions from Tunstall Healthcare to help older people with long-term care needs to live safely and independently in their own apartments.

To highlight the possible savings from telecare deployments, in 2010 North Yorkshire County Council announced that it had saved over £1 million through telecare over the past 12 months, that would otherwise have been spent on domiciliary or residential care. This cut the average person’s care costs by 38%. At the time the DH estimated that telecare could prevent 160,000 people from entering residential care per year, with potential cost savings of £2 billion per year.

New article highlights the key role telehealthcare will play in caring for ageing population

2010-12-07T16:18:00.004Z

A new article by James Ferguson, lead clinician for the Scottish Centre for Telehealth (SCT), has outlined how the NHS in Scotland needs to move forward with telehealth solutions to avoid being swept away by the impending ‘Silver Tsunami’. This refers to the increasing number of patients with long-term illnesses, approaching or already in retirement who are fast becoming a major issue for the government.

Telehealthcare solutions, such as those from Tunstall, are widely acknowledged as being key to enhancing the quality and efficiency of public healthcare services. However according to the SCT, Scotland has been slow to progress with mainstream telehealth solutions.

On the back of this, the SCT have identified the potential for using telehealth in the management of COPD as a priority area of work in Scotland and plan to establish a national home-telemonitoring service for COPD patients to monitor and record the effects of telehealth.

In order to push this agenda to governing bodies and health boards the Joint Improvement Team, in association with the SCT, have outlined a two-year strategy whereby training and education are to be implemented into the core curriculum for the emerging telehealthcare workforce.

Telecare key to next stages of Carer's Strategy

2010-12-03T11:53:00.002Z

The Government recently launched "Recognised, valued and supported, the next stages of the Carers Strategy” which has again underlined the key role that telehealthcare technology plays in helping both people needing support for long term conditions, and in helping ease some of the responsibility for caring.

The report itself, available here, makes extensive references to how the technology is being used to benefit carers and cared-for alike, as well as focusing on the SCIE’s approach to telecare as a preventative strategy.

There are also three excellent telehealthcare-related videos from the Newham Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) project here, too, showcasing exactly how the technology delivers care and support when and where it’s most needed.

New report claims £1bn savings for NHS from use of telehealth

2010-11-30T13:18:00.007Z

A report published recently states that the NHS could save up to a billion pounds through wider deployment of telehealthcare technologies.

The report, by think tank 2020health.org warns that the current NHS approach to delivering care to people with LTCs is unsustainable both in terms of cost and quality, and in no one’s best interests – least of all the patients and their carers.

It also outlined the scale of the problem faced by the NHS, as the number of people with long term conditions (LTCs), such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease, continues to grow. Currently, patients with LTCs account for 31% of the population, 52% of all GP appointments and 65% of all outpatient appointments.

Julia Manning, Director of 2020health.org, said: "If things are left as they are now, however, the pressure that the LTCs put on the NHS and social care could overwhelm it. Doing nothing is not an option. Government needs to grasp this nettle and make enabling telehealth a national priority now."

The report is available here.

Benefits of telecare for people living with dementia in residential care highlighted in new report

2010-11-23T09:24:00.004Z

A new report has highlighted the positive impact of telecare on people with dementia living in a residential setting. The report, published by North Yorkshire County Council and St. Cecilia’s, a residential provider, was announced at yesterday's ‘Telecare - Shaping the Future of Care’ conference in Harrogate.

The telecare equipment, provided by Tunstall Healthcare, was shown to have a positive effect on resident’s health and independence in a residential home. The telecare measures in place helped staff monitor and manage risks to residents with issues such as falls, night-time checks, and security for entry to and exit from the building. Tunstall deployed several items to St Cecilia’s residential home, including its Nursecall system, chair use sensors and door exit sensors. The solutions are now standard components of care within the home.

Mike Padgham, a dementia care home owner and chair of the ICG (Independent Care Group) commented that ‘telecare appropriately managed people’s risks, and also enabled support to be targeted where it was needed most. I am positive that telecare has helped staff to make more productive use of their time’

The introduction of telecare systems alleviated the need to carry out frequent checks and enabled the residential homes to cope with staff shortages efficiently and safely. County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for Adult and Community Services added ‘whilst telecare does not replace staff, this report has highlighted how telecare helped increase resident’s dignity and independence, and improved their general well-being’.

Details of the report are here.

The vision for adult social care

2010-11-19T13:47:00.003Z

Tunstall welcomes the Government's newly published "Vision for Adult Social Care" and supports its seven key principles -- in particular, the major emphasis on prevention.

The document recommends: "Councils should exploit the many opportunities to improve preventative services by: commissioning a full range of appropriate preventative and early intervention services such as re-ablement and telecare, working in partnership with the NHS, housing authorities and others."

Finding new and innovative ways to deliver social care, maintain quality and work in a more integrated way with the NHS is essential. Tunstall will support councils to examine how they use their resources and reform their services to ensure the very best quality outcomes for those who need social care.

The full paper can be accessed here.

Tunstall to release comms specifications to enable industry-wide interoperability

2010-11-16T16:57:00.005Z

Today at the TSA conference, we’ve announced that the specification for our radio receiver and transmitter devices will be made available to developers and vendors of telecare sensors. This will gives customers the ability to use devices such as PIRs, fall detectors and smoke detectors, from commercial organisations that offer products that meet Tunstall’s 869 radio communication specification and the necessary regulatory standards.

We recently held a series of customer forums across Scotland, Wales, London and the north of England. These events helped shape and improve the company’s future strategy, and a key outcome from all events was confirmation that interoperability of products is a priority.

In the future, other suppliers’ sensors will be compatible with Tunstall’s Connect range of solutions and the Communicall Connect system. We believe this is a key step towards more scalable, personalised telecare services, helping customers to choose the most appropriate technology to meet their requirements

BBC 'Living Longer' week looks at telehealth

2010-11-11T12:34:00.002Z

The BBC's Living Longer week is reflecting the experiences of older and vulnerable people across the UK. This item from BBC Radio York looks at how two people in North Yorkshire have benefited from the use of telehealthcare to help them manage and monitor their own conditions.

This helps them avoid unnecessary hospital visits and retain their independence. They are just two of 219 people across North Yorkshire benefiting from the use of telehealthcare, which according to the King's Fund's Richard Humphries is "blazing a trail" in deploying the technology, to reduce the problem of bed-blocking and pressures on the NHS.

The story starts at 37 minutes into the programme.

LGA highlights shows how councils are leading the way with telehealthcare

2010-11-09T16:20:00.005Z

The Local Government Association (LGA) has highlighted the role of telehealthcare in improving quality of life for elderly and vulnerable people, while saving millions in care costs for councils across England.

In its press release, reported here, Cllr David Rogers, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said: "Investing in technology like this has been proven to reduce the need for hospital admission, GP referral, home help, day care and residential care. This saves taxpayers' money in the long term at a time when the demand for adult care is rising and funding is falling.

"But it's not just about saving cash, telecare and telehealth gives older people and those living with long-term conditions years more of independence. It boosts their confidence and self-respect, helps them remain healthy and happy and keeps them at the heart of the communities they love. It's simply not possible to put a value on that."

The LGA used several council deployments that make use of equipment from Tunstall, including North Yorkshire County Council, which has saved an estimated £1M in domiciliary or residential care costs through the use of telecare.

Telehealth deployment across Cornwall

2010-11-01T11:37:00.002Z

Here's an interesting video interview with Dave Tyas, Service and Improvement Manager for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, who is talking about the uptake of telehealth and telecare across the region.

NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly is one of the Department of Health’s three national Whole System Demonstrator pilot sites and in January this year it reached a major milestone, with over 2000 patients taking part in its large-scale telehealth project; the Trust is now looking to make telehealthcare available to more patients in Cornwall.

As part of the project Cornwall worked in partnership with Tunstall to get 1600 of our telehealth patient systems rolled out in just eight weeks.

The benefits of telehealth are many, including reduced hospital admissions and empowering patients to self manage their condition. However, one significant benefit of the technology, commented on by Dave in his interview, is that it reduces the need for patients to travel to health centres for routine check-ups. This is extremely beneficial in remote locations such as islands, where health services can be limited or more difficult to get to.

Telehealth is doing well across the region with one third of all practices across Cornwall participating with the service. However, by demonstrating evidence that telehealth works, NHS Cornwall is now hoping to get the rest of the practices on board.

Self Care Week 2010

2010-10-28T11:04:00.002+01:00

Next month marks the start of Self Care Week, which aims to encourage people, especially those with long-term conditions, to learn how to manage their own health more effectively.

As part of the campaign, The Department of Health is issuing communication packs containing information, key messages and promotional material to NHS and social care organisations, enabling as many people as possible to get involved and support Self Care Week 2010.

At Tunstall, we also want to empower people with long-term conditions to self-manage their own health. Our telehealth solutions are aimed at patients with problems such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Heart Failure (CHF), and are designed to help patients monitor their condition daily.

Telehealth systems enable people to manage their condition from home and allow specialist clinicians to monitor patients’ health remotely. By having such early visibility of potential problems, patients can receive the right care at the right time, avoiding unnecessary hospital admission.

It’s this anticipatory approach to care that really makes the difference – not only does it reduce some of the pressure on NHS resources, but it also helps to improve patients’ quality of life.

Self Care Week 2010 commences 15th November.

Advanced Telehealth Scheme Will Transform Care for CHF Patients in Fife

2010-10-27T09:40:00.000+01:00

A two-year telehealth pilot scheme using advanced solutions from Tunstall has been launched by NHS Fife to transform care for patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF).

The new service, which aims to help people self-manage their condition at home, will benefit up to 80 patients and alleviate some of the pressure on the NHS by reducing avoidable hospital admissions.

As part of the scheme, NHS Fife uses Tunstall’s icp integrated care platform, which includes the mymedic and icp triagemanager solutions, and is working with Fife Council to take an anticipatory approach to the care of people with long-term conditions.

Lorna Taggerty, eHealth Delivery Specialist for NHS Fife said: “Feedback from clinicians so far has been extremely positive and they have been very involved in setting up the service. We have benefited from the support of Tunstall in setting up the project and we are now looking forward to seeing the positive results telehealth will bring to the community.”

The mymedic unit transmits ECG recordings to the icp triagemanager software, enabling clinicians to identify possible arrhythmia events and manage patient health remotely.

Patients with CHF will receive the telehealth solutions on a rotation basis for a period of six months each. With the support of specialist nurses, NHS Fife hopes that the scheme will enable patients to better manage their own symptoms and improve their quality of life.

You can read the full article here

Telehealthcare the answer to Spending Review's questions

2010-10-20T15:03:00.003+01:00

The coalition government’s comprehensive spending review has given some answers, but also generated further questions. An extra £2bn in four years has been promised for social care, but does not appear to have been ringfenced in local council budgets.

What’s more, as The Guardian’s David Brindle points out in his article on the likely impact of the spending review, 300,000 more people aged over 85 will need care in the next four years alone. Add to this the sharp rise in the number of younger people with care needs -- around 70,000 more people of working age are estimated to need care by 2014 – and you have a real ‘double whammy’.

Richard Jones, Adass president points out: "A reduction of 25% in our budgets over three years would come at a time when we know we are likely to see 370,000 more people needing care and support – an effective growth in demand of some 4% a year, creating a potential challenge for many councils.”

The task of delivering effective health and social care to meet the population’s fast-changing demands is huge – and getting bigger. As the only proven method for meeting the needs of individuals, carers, and health/care professionals alike, now is the time for telehealthcare to move to the mainstream

World Spirometry Day: how telehealth helps people with COPD

2010-10-14T14:12:00.002+01:00

Today marks the first ever World Spirometry Day – a day intended to raise awareness about lung health and promote spirometry as an easy and non-invasive means of testing lung function.

The technology helps in the diagnosis of a range of lung conditions, including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – the 5th biggest killer in England and Wales.

COPD causes 30,000 deaths per year and treatment costs to the NHS are more than £800m. At Tunstall, we have a comprehensive range of solutions to help people with long-term conditions like COPD manage their conditions effectively from home.

Our telehealth solutions can relieve some of the pressure on the NHS, allowing patients to monitor their condition from home by measuring their vital signs on a daily basis. This information is then transmitted via the telephone line where specialist nursing staff triage the data and manage patient health remotely, recognising abnormal readings before hospital admission in necessary.

In the county of Wiltshire alone, 570 hospital admissions in 2009 alone were as a result of the disease, which amounted to a staggering 5,357 bed days. To help reduce admissions and better treat COPD sufferers in their own homes, NHS Wiltshire has deployed Tunstall's telehealth solutions. You can read more about NHS Wiltshire’s investment in telehealth here.

£70m Reablement Funding – the role of telecare

2010-10-08T14:46:00.000+01:00

Following Andrew Lansley’s recent announcement last week of a £70 million Reablement Fund to help support people back into their homes after leaving hospital, telecare can play a key role in driving reablement in communities.

Telecare aids recovery and builds confidence, provides 24 hour safety and security when vulnerability is highest, enables scarce staff resources to be utilised more effectively, and helps in driving towards the goal of 70% of people not requiring further services.

Many successful reablement programmes around the country have already integrated telecare into their delivery model in order to deliver an even better service to people.

Visit our website to find out more about how our experience can enhance reablement programmes using telecare, and facilitate the development of a joint strategy by engaging local health and social care stakeholders.

A film on the ethics of Telecare

2010-10-07T10:18:00.003+01:00

Nursing Times has run a very interesting and balanced film on the ethics of telecare.

As one of the participants, Keren Down, director of the Foundation for Assistive Technology says, telecare truly is 'the only game in town' for the future of care.

However, the technology has to be deployed and managed carefully so that it gives users more control, independence and autonomy, rather than taking it away. The film offers practical steps on choosing and deploying equipment to give service users the biggest benefits.

It's well worth a watch.

Telecare helps to give a new lease of life

2010-09-29T12:04:00.002+01:00

Tunstall’s range of telecare solutions support hundreds of thousands of people with long-term care needs, giving them the confidence to live safely and independently in their own homes.

And for 47-year-old Jim Cluckie in Ayr, Scotland, telecare has given him a new lease of life and has allowed him to move out of his parents’ home and live on his own for the first time.

Although Jim has been assessed as needing someone with him 24 hours a day and is prone to seizures on a daily basis, the addition of telecare equipment in his new flat at St. Leonard’s Court has given him more freedom, allowing him to live life how he wishes, without intrusive live-in care.

Jim’s sensors have been linked to the first Tunstall CareAssist monitor to arrive in Scotland, which is carried at all times by support workers when he is at home and alerts them when a sensor has been triggered.

You can read the full article here.

Cutbacks could “devastate” care of older and disabled people, say charities

2010-09-24T17:17:00.000+01:00

There is growing concern that council cutbacks may lead to elderly people being denied help to stay in their own homes.

An article published in The Sunday Telegraph, based on a national survey conducted by Community Care Magazine, revealed that three-quarters of councils have scaled back on services for the elderly and disabled so that only people with “substantial” or “critical” needs receive assistance with day-to-day tasks like washing and dressing.

The findings of the survey came as 15 major charities warned Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg that the care of older and disabled people would be “devastated” if such services are not protected from budget cuts. In an open letter to Mr Clegg, representatives from charities such as Age UK, Parkinson’s UK and Carers UK claim that public sector cuts could result in neglect, isolation, loss of health and early death for those who rely on council services.

The article highlights the importance of maintaining a long-term investment in home-based care for older people and those with long-term health needs, providing them with the support they need to live more independently in their own homes for longer.

Personal budgets equal greater choice of care

2010-09-22T08:39:00.003+01:00

Today's announcement that social care recipients will get total control over their personal budgets is a giant step in reforming the care system. It will give real choice for service users over the types of care solutions they need and want, and is expected to realise substantial national savings.

But with choice comes responsibility -- which means that councils and users have to be fully informed about what solutions are available, and their benefits in supporting safe, independent living. Even though telecare is proven to benefit both its users and carers, people still need easy access to material to help them make the right choices.

That's why we will be introducing new resources and materials in the coming months to give people the information they need, to help them choose what's best for them and use their personal budgets wisely.

Information About Care is Key

2010-09-17T12:32:00.000+01:00

This article by Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, discusses how proper support is needed to ensure people make informed decisions about their care.

Findings of a survey commissioned by Counsel and Care show that most people don’t understand the care system, how it is funded or where to get information about care when they need it.

Mr Burke looks at how more could be done to ensure people have access to this kind of information and highlights the benefits of delivering care in the home with the assistance of telecare technology. He believes that this kind of “smarter spending” should be a key focus area for councils, enabling them to deliver better care to the people who really need it.

You can read the full article here.

Orkney Health and Care Uses Tunstall for Telehealth Initiative

2010-09-14T12:28:00.000+01:00

Orkney Health and Care, the health and social care partnership, has launched a telehealth service using innovative solutions from Tunstall to enhance healthcare delivery for patients with long-term conditions, such as chronic heart disease.

The solutions allow patients with long-term conditions to manage their condition at home, enabling them to measure their vital signs daily and detect abnormal readings before hospital admission is necessary.

The deployment of telehealth in the area is also expected to benefit healthcare providers in NHS Orkney, where the rural geography means that GPs and nurses often need to visit patients by ferry.

Keith Farrer, NHS Orkney consultant nurse and clinical lead for long-term conditions, said: “Due to our rural locality I expect to see telehealth reduce the need for patients to travel to their health centres for regular checkups therefore reducing the burden of travel. It will also help some patients to better understand how to manage their illness.”

Orkney Health and Care is using Tunstall’s icp integrated care platform, including mymedic and icp triagemanager. The information is transmitted via the telephone line and automatically collected by NHS Orkney’s clinical staff who monitor the patient’s condition daily to provide timely, preventative care when needed.

You can read the full article here.

First Year Success for Linc Cymru’s Telecare-Enabled Housing Scheme

2010-09-07T09:14:00.000+01:00

Linc-Cymru Housing Association has reported on the success of the first year of its newest Extra Care scheme in Newport.

The scheme is using advanced telecare solutions from Tunstall Healthcare, including Tunstall’s Communicall Connect, to deliver a flexible package of care to older people with long-term care needs living in supported housing. This helps them to live safely and independently in their own apartments.

The scheme comprises 41 self-contained apartments which are designed specifically for older people some of whom have sensory, physical and cognitive impairments. The customised telecare packages help manage risks in the home and provide tenants with access to 24-hour on-site care, giving them peace of mind and improving their quality of life.

Linc-Cymru Housing Association has been using telecare solutions from Tunstall at Glyn Anwen since 2009 and Communicall Connect was specified as a requirement for the Extra Care scheme as it provides a platform for flexible care which can be tailored to each tenant. It can support a range of installed telecare sensors that are based on the individual requirements of each resident and can be adjusted according to their changing needs.

One tenant at Glyn Anwen, Mr J, said that he had seen a marked improvement in his health. He enjoyed the reassurance of being able to summon help 24 hours a day and having company as he felt “shut away” where he lived before. He commented: “If it wasn’t for Linc Extra Care I would have gone into a nursing home and there is no doubt in my mind I would have faded away very quickly.”

The future is Telehealth

2010-09-01T14:31:00.000+01:00

This article from Healthcare Digital takes an overall look at the positive impact telehealth is having in the UK for those living with long-term conditions, and how it is helping to minimise avoidable hospital admissions and alleviate the pressure on healthcare providers.

Over 17.5 million people in the UK are living with long-term conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). It is estimated that treatment for these people accounts for 69% of the Primary and Acute care budget in England and almost 80% of GP consultations relate to a long-term condition.

However with the assistance of telehealth technology, home visits by community COPD nurses were reduced by 80%, enabling healthcare staff to prioritise their workload and better manage their time. The approach also led to a 50% decrease in COPD-related hospital admissions, saving the PCT between £30,000 and £40,000 on just a small number of patients.

The article shows in brad terms how telehealth enhances the quality of life for people living with long-term conditions, giving them peace of mind that their health is being monitored by clinicians on a daily basis.

It’s a good summary of the powerful benefits that bringing healthcare into patients' home environments can deliver.

NHS Wiltshire Launches Next-Generation Telehealth for COPD

2010-08-25T09:13:00.002+01:00

NHS Wiltshire has launched an advanced telehealth service to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and enable people with long-term health problems to manage their condition at home.

The initiative, which uses next-generation solutions from Tunstall, is targeted at the 5,500 people in Wiltshire who have Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (COPD). The condition is the leading cause of hospital admissions in the area, and in 2009 accounted for 570 admissions, amounting to 5,357 bed days.

Tunstall’s next-generation icp integrated care platform, which includes the mymedic telehealth solution and icp triagemanager clinical software, is being used by NHS Wiltshire to support integrated, fully managed and patient-centred care.

COPD Community Matron for NHS Wiltshire, Regitse Lewis, said: “Telehealth enables us to intervene earlier when a COPD patient’s symptoms worsen, and earlier treatment means a better outcome for the patient.

“Using the telehealth solutions is easy and helps those struggling to manage their condition to understand what is going on.”

Patients with COPD have been supplied with Tunstall’s mymedic solution, which monitors their blood pressure, oxygen levels and temperature, as well as asking a series of health-related questions, on a daily basis. Specialist nursing staff then triage the data using icp triagemanager, managing patient health remotely before hospital admission is necessary.

People in Doncaster feel the benefits of telehealth

2010-08-18T15:26:00.000+01:00

Here’s a link to a case study about how our telehealth systems are helping NHS Doncaster to manage the expected increase in people with long-term health conditions in the area.

The trust has invested in 180 telehealth systems, which are being installed over a two-year period and aim to reduce the number of unplanned admissions to hospital for patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF).

The service enables patients to manage their condition from home, improving their quality of life and giving them confidence that their health is being monitored on a regular basis.

Vera is one of the first to benefit from telehealth in the area. She has serious chest problems and needs a round-the-clock supply of oxygen. She uses the Tunstall mymedic unit installed in her house once a day to take her blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels.

She said: “It’s so easy and a man with a lovely sounding voice talks me through the whole process and tells me exactly what to do. It’s reassuring to know that the NHS is keeping an eye on me to prevent anything going wrong.”

This is another example of how Telehealthcare helps people manage their health problems in their own environment, before hospital admission is necessary.