Inhealthcare has backed calls for the widespread adoption of health technologies to help the NHS cope with a massive projected increase in the number of people living with major illness.
The UK company said the expansion of remote monitoring for patients would create capacity within primary and community care services and free up GPs and nurses to concentrate on those in greatest need.
Inhealthcare spoke out after a new report from the Health Foundation warned that 9.1 million people would be living with conditions such as cancer, diabetes and kidney disease by 2040, 2.5 million more than in 2019. The independent charity added the increase of 37 per cent was nine times the rate at which the working age population was expected to grow over the same period.
The Health Foundation said its findings pointed to big changes in how care should be delivered in future and reinforced the need for investment in general practices and community-based services, focusing on prevention and early intervention to reduce the impact of illness and improve the quality of people’s lives.
The report highlighted “the importance of adopting and spreading technologies that make health services more efficient at delivering current forms of care”*.
In response, Inhealthcare CEO Bryn Sage said: “We welcome the Health Foundation’s findings, especially its recommendation for the widespread adoption of technologies to help meet future demand for health services. Our extensive experience of working with the NHS has demonstrated beyond doubt how remote monitoring eases pressure on care services and gives patients the support they need to live with major illnesses.
“For example, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is expanding a successful remote monitoring service with Inhealthcare to help increase life expectancy and improve quality of life for patients diagnosed with heart failure. Analysis of the six months before and after introduction showed a significant reduction in hospital bed days, A&E attendances, GP visits and out-of-hours appointments.
“In another example, Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership is working with Inhealthcare to target and support nearly 126,000 people estimated to be living with poorly-controlled diagnosed or undiagnosed hypertension. The service allows patients to monitor blood pressure from the comfort of their own home, without the need to visit their GP practice.
“We would urge the government to help the NHS roll out remote monitoring across primary and community care services and consider how these technologies can support people with illnesses newly identified by the forthcoming launch of digital health checks. This will enable better management of long-term conditions with considerable benefits for patients, healthcare professionals and the public purse.”
According to the Health Foundation, the share of the adult population living with major illness is projected to increase to almost one in five by 2040 from almost one in six in 2019. Most of the increase will be among those aged 70 years and older.
The report said the 10 conditions with the highest impact on health care use and mortality among over 30s are chronic pain, diabetes, anxiety or depression, cancer, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, constipation and dementia.
Notes to Editors:
- The Health Foundation, ‘Health in 2040: projected patterns of illness in England’, page 49, https://www.health.org.uk/news-and-comment/news/25-million-more-people-in-england-projected-to-be-living-with-major-illness-by-2040
Inhealthcare is a UK leader in digital health and remote patient monitoring. The Harrogate, North Yorkshire-based company has serviced more than three million episodes of care and produced more than 150 separate digital pathways. Patients using Inhealthcare services have a choice of communication channels including smartphone app, web browser, SMS text and automated telephone call, promoting digital inclusion.
For more information, please visit www.inhealthcare.co.uk