Telecare and Telehealth

This report looks at the role that telecare and telehealth can play in helping to transform health and social care by enabling commissioners and providers to respond effectively to rising demand for health and social care services.

A key driver underpinning the report is the desire to find solutions that provide a more cost-effective way of meeting the growing demands for such services whilst giving service users the support and confidence to help them manage their own condition more effectively. This is not just about adopting the technology but is about integration and service redesign.

Telecare and telehealth will be most effective if adopted as an alternative way of engaging with and supporting service users and not simply as an “add on” or supplementary to the traditional ways of working.

Key findings

The report provides a synopsis of the available evidence on the costs and benefits of telecare and telehealth. It is based on literature reviews, case examples, discussion with key stakeholders and our experience in working with technology companies and health and social care providers in the UK and other countries.