The need to investigate and implement telecare is driven by worldwide changes in population demographics. In Europe, the number of people aged from 65 to 80 will rise by nearly 40% between 2010 and 2030. By 2050 more than a quarter of the European population is expected to be over 65 years (EC, WHO).
The aging population and poor lifestyles will lead to more people suffering from long-term conditions (LTCs). Currently in England 15.4 million people, including 60 percent of those over age 60, suffer from LTCs. Such conditions account for 72 percent of all inpatient bed days, 65 percent of all outpatient appointments and 52 percent of all GP appointments. LTCs consume 69 percent of England’s primary and acute care budget (NHS, England). The cost of providing health and social care is increasing at an unsustainable rate, with social and economic implications.
Technology has the ability to address demographic challenges to our care services. Evidence supports the value of telecare for people with LTCs: 35-56% reduction in mortality, 47% reduction in risk of hospitalization, 6 days reduction in length of hospital admission, 40-64% reduction in physician time for checks and 63% reduction in transport costs (Cleland et al 2005; Lee R, Goldberg et al, 2003; Scalvini S et al., 2001; Elsner et al, 2006; Van Ginneken et al 2006).
Many pilot schemes have been implemented to assess telecare, including the UK Department of Health’s ‘Whole System Demonstrator’ (WSD) programme. The £31million programme is believed to be the largest trial of its kind ever undertaken and comprises 3 managing sites involving dozens of doctor’s practices and over 6,000 patients. The 2-year trial is designed to deliver a large, randomised, controlled trial to investigate whether integrated health and social care, using assistive technologies, would benefit individuals and their carers, whilst also providing clinical gains and cost-effective care.
Telecare is believed to have the potential to meet the needs of national government agendas to provide more efficient and effective care. This provides potential business opportunities for companies already working in or planning to enter the telecare market. The estimated potential market in SE England alone for telecare services is currently approximately £1.1billion per year.
