14.07.14
NHS England telehealth metrics expected by October – Lamb
NHS England plans to publish a set of metrics to be used across technology enabled care services by October 2014, to demonstrate the effect of telehealth technologies on health outcomes, care minister Norman Lamb has stated.
Responding to a question from Labour's shadow health minister Liz Kendall in Parliament, Lamb said: “NHS England is currently developing a set of metrics to be used across technology enabled care services and will be testing these metrics with analysts and commissioners to ensure they are fit for purpose.
“NHS England aims to have finalised and published these metrics by October 2014.”
He added that NHS England does not currently collect data about the number of people receiving telehealth or telecare services, but in 2011 the Telehealth Services Association (TSA), which is the industry body for telehealth and telecare, reported there was an estimated 1.37 million telehealth, telecare and telecoaching connections in England.
Kendall also asked when NHS England will issue the first in its regular surveys on the number of individuals who benefit from telehealth services?
In reply, Lamb stated that the Technology Enabled Care Services survey is conducted and published by the TSA. “The most recent survey was issued by the TSA on 2 July 2014 and the TSA expects to conduct this survey on a quarterly basis,” he said. “NHS England will use the data collected through these surveys to inform the Technology Enabled Care Services programme.”
Earlier in the month, Lamb had stated that NHS England recognises the potential of these technologies to “empower patients” to take “greater control” over their conditions and provide care that is convenient, accessible and cost-effective.
“The ambition is to create the right commissioning environment that supports and encourages the use of technology that can improve care and outcomes for patients,” he added.
The latest development is the next chapter in an ongoing debate about the potential benefits and costs of telehealth and telecare services, following mixed results from a government-backed trial of telehealth equipment.
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