Speaking at the "Meeting Tomorrow's Challenges" conference being held in London on 3 June, leading figures from UK charities, Local Government, Councils and Primary Care Trusts will join telecare and telehealth provider Tunstall to outline how the latest technology is underpinning the Government's health and social care policies designed to support independence, health and well-being.

Telehealthcare brings together telecare and telehealth as a combined solution, and supports the national drive for integration and a more flexible, integrated approach to health and social care delivery within the community setting, keeping people healthy, safe and in control within their own homes, in line with the Putting People First agenda.

The Government has signalled a clear commitment to telehealthcare, announcing this month the launch of its flagship £31 million Whole System Demonstrator Programme, which will highlight the potential of using telecare and telehealth solutions to provide more effective, integrated care and support for those with complex health and social care needs.

Jon Lowe, Managing Director of Tunstall said, "Telehealthcare enables social care and healthcare practitioners to deliver more joined up services, enabling clinicians and care providers to prioritise their workload more effectively and ensure best use of resources. During a five month telehealthcare pilot, Sheffield PCT reduced home visits by 80% and realised cost savings of around £35,000 – results which won the Trust a prestigious NHS Health and Social Care award for its innovative approach to addressing long-term needs such as COPD. In isolation these cost savings seem impressive, but in fact the key benefit is to enable such savings to deliver increased capacity and quality to meet the growing numbers of older people who require access to high quality services."

Making telehealthcare an integral part of health and social care delivery gives patients valuable independence and an improved quality of life, as well as promoting increased self care and greater awareness amongst patients of their condition which is a key factor in improving overall outcomes.

As well as giving individuals more choice and control over the care they receive, a key benefit of mainstreaming telehealthcare is the additional support and invaluable reassurance it offers the UK's six million carers by increasing their independence.

According to Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive at Carers UK, "Telehealthcare is playing a crucial role in helping to modernise and transform social care services. In real terms, if that means that carers have greater independence and the freedom to pursue their own careers and personal lives with peace of mind, then we embrace the future! Indeed, our belief in the future of telehealthcare is so strong that we have called for it to be an integral recommendation for the new National Carers' Strategy."

Delegates at the conference will also be presented with real life examples of the practical applications of telehealthcare solutions within the local context, and how health and social care organisations are successfully using the technology to enable increasing numbers of service users to remain living safely, healthily and independently for longer.

To find out more information about the London conference on 3 June or the regional conferences taking place across the UK, please visit www.tunstall.co.uk/events

Related news articles:

• Tunstall's Profile

About Tunstall
Tunstall is the market leading provider of telecare and telehealth solutions, with over 2.5 million users globally. Tunstall's solutions support older people and those with long-term needs, to live independently, by effectively managing their health and well-being. Tunstall provides technology, expertise and advice to millions of people enabling them to lead independent more fulfilling lives. For more information on how telecare and telehealth can improve quality of life, visit www.tunstall.co.uk.

About Carers UK
Carers UK is the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation of and for carers. Carers UK continues to make a difference to carers' lives by: campaigning for a better deal for carers; informing carers of their rights and what help is available; training and advising professionals who work with carers; working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates. For more information, visit www.carersuk.org or for advice on your caring situation call CarersLine on T. 0808 808 7777.