FRIDAY, 03 NOVEMBER, 2017

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PHOTO ATTACHED: TELECARE SERVICE LEAFLET

Technology enabled care in Perth and Kinross

Plans to develop the use of technology to offer people more personalised, flexible and improved care services are progressing in Perth and Kinross.

The Perth and Kinross Technology Enabled Care Strategy and Action Plan was approved today (Friday) at a meeting of the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Integrated Joint Board (IJB).

The use of technology is playing an increasing role in our everyday lives and also has the potential to increase people’s choice and control over the support they receive.

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) is the application of technology to support people to manage their health and care in their home or community settings.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership has received funding from a national Scottish Government TEC programme to provide a number of local services. These include the upgrade of the Community Alarm system to a digital platform, and the temporary employment of a TEC Development Officer to identify opportunities to implement TEC in Perth and Kinross. Perth and Kinross is one of the first areas to pilot digital telecare with the Scottish Government, leading the way in bringing the next generation of telecare equipment to the region.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Allied Health Professions Lead Jane Dernie said, “We know that over the coming years we are facing increasingly challenging times with growing demands on services and a population with increasingly complex needs.

“In order for us to deliver flexible, integrated and responsive services, we need to do things differently and more innovatively. The development of technology enabled care, alongside services that will continue to be provided by professional staff, can support these changes especially in the rural areas of Perth and Kinross.

“Supporting vulnerable people to remain living independently and enabling person-centred support will improve individual outcomes, independence, choice and control and has the potential to decrease the number of unnecessary hospital and care home admissions.

“Supporting more people at home and in the community is a key priority for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and we will work closely with our partners to deliver the TEC Strategy and Action Plan to improve the outcomes of people across the region.”

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership IJB Chairperson Linda Dunion said, “We are keen to ensure that we use existing and new technologies to benefit people across Perth and Kinross.

“Our Technology Enabled Care (TEC) strategy is a major part of our overall drive to help people who need support from our services to live in their own homes and communities for as long as they choose. Being a pilot area for TEC will help us ensure that the people of Perth and Kinross are among the first to benefit from the opportunities that are likely to arise from increasing our use of technology in the design and delivery of our services.”

TEC, which can include the use of telecare community alarm systems, video conferencing and websites and apps, is used in partnership with other support from health and social care professionals and allows resources to be used where they are needed the most.

There are a number of positive potential benefits for individuals, their families and carers through the use of TEC. These include:

• Increased independence of individuals and their carers

• Increased feeling of reassurance and support for individuals and their carers

• Improved access to services for people living in rural and remote areas

• Increased self-management of health and wellbeing issues

• Reduction in the number of people requiring short and long-term hospital care, and care home

admissions

Developing the use of TEC is a key priority of the Perth and Kinross Strategic Commissioning Plan 2016-19.

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134

communications.tayside@nhs.net