Telecare
We define Telecare as the use of information and communication and sensor technologies to deliver health and social support to people to help them live as independently as possible in the lowest intensity care setting consistent with their needs and wishes.
In the UK, 17.5 million people are estimated to have a long-term condition (LTC) which can be addressed by telecare. The aging population and poor lifestyles will lead to more people suffering from LTCs. The cost of providing health and social care will increase at an unsustainable rate, with social and economic implications.
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, 63% reduction in transport costs.
SEHTA and SEEDA have launched ICE-T, International Centre of Excellence of Telecare. For information about the launch and to view the speakers’ slides click here
The vision for ICE-T is to become a global focal point for Telecare. ICE-T will be a facilitating, innovative and catalytic organisation to address and develop the business opportunities for Telecare, alongside meeting the needs of national government agendas to provide more efficient and effective health care using new communications technologies.
The main functions of ICE-T will be:
- to provide support and seed funding to projects developing innovative telecare products and services
- to facilitate the formation of collaborative project consortia
- to monitor and raise awareness of regional, national and international initiatives in telecare
- to offer consultancy services to private and public sector organisations on aspects of telecare
- to provide management and communications for a network of showcase/project sites
- to establish action research showcase sites across the region.
Each site will:
- be a focus for ICE-T projects
- offer facilities for action research, simulating real-life environments reflecting the specific theme
- showcase the use of technology in the delivery of care under that theme
- establish contacts to act as test sites and provide initial routes to market for technologies and services developed by ICE-T projects
Click here for the report on the background and development of ICE-T.
This site is designed to provide you with information on telecare, including new and exciting developments in the region, projects you can get involved with, funding opportunities, and much more. Click on our menus for further information.
If you would like to get involved and want to be kept informed please email us by clicking here.