Opinion Article: Monitoring the Homecare Crisis
Recent exposure in the media has uncovered a 'looming crisis' in low standards of care provided by "at-home" care services for the elderly, and brought it directly to the public eye. The figures are a real cause for concern. According to Care Minister Norman Lamb, there are over 300,000 people currently relying on homecare services in the UK, yet a third of all care and nursing homes in England aren't meeting the necessary standards.
Northern Ireland Health Minister Edwin Poots led the speeches at the launch of Northern Ireland's first Electronic Care Record (NIECR) system, just one year after its contract was signed with e-Health software provider Orion Health.				
EMIS, Graphnet Health and Healthcare Gateway Ltd have formed a strategic alliance to offer clinical information systems and services under the London 2015 initiative, the £300m framework agreement launched by a consortium of 30 NHS Trusts and community organisations in London and the South.				
Tunstall Healthcare, the leading provider of telehealth and telecare solutions, will be launching its new Communicall Vi supported living communication system at this year's Chartered Institute of Housing Exhibition 2013.  This advanced solution offers an integrated platform for the delivery and management of communications, telecare, door entry and access control in a wide range of grouped living environments.				
By Shane Tickell, CEO, IMS MAXIMS.