Ministers plan to rollout telehealth and telecare systems to 3 million NHS patients in coming years so that patients can be remotely monitored from their home by doctors. The move is also designed to save billions for the cash strapped NHS.
But researchers at Imperial College Business School said that without a more radical approach to encourage the adoption of remote care, the government could see a failure of its current policies.
The NHS and the remote care industry could in turn lose confidence in developing and delivering these technologies.
"If you speak, as we have, with companies gearing up for Britain's 'Remote Care' revolution, the levels of scepticism are unmistakeable and worrying," said Professor James Barlow, chair of the Technology and Innovation Management group at Imperial College Business School.
"Faith in the future is shaky. If the remote care revolution is to take off, shifting healthcare out of hospitals and into homes, we will need more action than is currently proposed under government policy.
"Current political commitment, though considerable, is insufficient to achieve a great potential prize - a more rational, higher quality, perhaps even cheaper, health and social care system, and a vibrant UK export industry based on remote care technology."
Similar warnings were made just days before in another report launched at the House of Commons. The Digital Policy Alliance warned that the UK lacked skills and knowledge of the capabilities and use of telehealth systems. It also reported that there was a lack of multi-agency coordination and responsibility to ensure high quality patient care. And the single biggest barrier to telehealth and telecare adoption was proving the benefits to those who would incur the costs. GP practices and adult social service departments do not always see any financial benefit from the services.
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Quelle/Source: Public Service, 24.01.2013
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