Believed to be the largest city-wide deployment of telecare systems in the UK, the project is expected to help 25,000 patients through technology that allows people with long-term conditions to be remotely monitored from their home.
Care services minister Paul Burstow said the telecare project had the potential to alleviate pressure on NHS services and family members, at the same time as improving people's quality of life.
"Birmingham should be proud that it is pioneering this new approach, which is set to improve the quality of care for service users and increase their independence and dignity, as well as reducing the time they spend in hospital," he said.
Telehealth and telecare initiatives have become a priority for the government after David Cameron announced three million people across the country would benefit from technology that allows clinicians to monitor their condition remotely. Up to £1.2bn a year is expected to be saved from telehealth programmes, with the NHS and public bodies set to spend £750m rolling out the technology in collaboration with private firms.
Burstow said the benefits of telecare could only be realised by the industry working in partnership with bodies like Birmingham City Council, which has invested £14m into the project.
Councillor Sue Anderson, Birmingham's 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 support is available whenever needs, 24 hours a day.
"Our 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."
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Quelle/Source: Public Service, 03.02.2012
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