Government commits to wider rollout of telehealth services

The Department of Health has pledged to embrace the benefits of telehealth services more widely, following successful trial schemes in Cornwall.

Over the next five years, the government will be working with the healthcare industry, the NHS, social care and professional organisations to ensure people with long-term conditions have access to equipment that allows for remote monitoring of their vital signs.

Early studies into the technology suggest that it could provide 45 percent reductions to mortality, as well as cutting emergency admissions by 21 percent, elective admissions by 24 percent and accident and emergency visits by 15 percent.

To date, only 5,000 people in England are taking advantage of telehealth solutions, but the government believes that as many as three million people could do so in future.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: "The feedback I have heard from people in Cornwall has been incredibly positive. They were absolutely clear that high-tech healthcare being used here has improved their lives for the better."

This comes after a report from Audit Scotland recommended the measure as a means of delivering NHS savings north of the border in October 2011.