Innovation in the NHS: The impact of telemedicine
Healthcare leaders such Simon Stevens, Jeremy Hunt and Matthews Swindells all have stressed the importance of technology in transforming the quality of care in the UK.
Of these, perhaps one of the most talked about transformations has been the drive for a paperless NHS by 2020.
Speaking at the NHS annual conference in Manchester in June, Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt acknowledged the commitment to go paperless was one of the “bolder promises” of digital transformation, but was central to improving efficiency in the NHS.
Despite this, the Secretary of State acknowledged that while the need to go digital is key, IT paradoxes in the system serve as a significant barrier for some health organisations.
Over the coming weeks, we will be taking a look at some of the key devices and systems that can help NHS organisations transform. Having looked at how data platforms such as Microsoft Health’s HealthVault service can boost innovation in app development, we will now take a look at what types of technology can help NHS organisations ‘go paperless’.
The Growth in Telemedicine
One area of technology that has had its merits debated over a number of years is telemedicine; the ability to use modern technology, like voice and video conferencing, to deliver medical care to individuals without the need to book a primary, or secondary care appointment.
Over the last 5 years there has been a proliferation of the use of this technology. For example, in primary care we now see a number of public and private organisations offering GP appointments over the phone, while in community care practitioners and citizens can communicate remotely.
Likewise, in mental health there is a requirement for care in urgent situations delivered immediately to an individual, in a discreet, personalised way; highlighted by the ‘I’ statements developed by the NHS, Mind and YoungMinds.
In secondary care, patients with long term conditions can manage their own health and appointments using video conferencing, from the comfort of their own home, at times that suit them.
How can Microsoft help?
The ability to manage and monitor care remotely has significant benefits for both health organisations and the patient. Remotely accessing care not only reduces the amount of time an individual takes to be seen, but has the positive side-effect of patients and carers increasing their knowledge and confidence to manage their condition.
At Microsoft we have seen a huge increase in the interest of using tools like Skype for Business to deliver telemedicine. Two health organisations in particular have seen great benefits after introducing Skype for Business to deliver services.
In 2011 Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (BSUH) recognised that telemedicine could enable patients to be assessed by a consultant out of hours. However, their system was far from ideal; the screen would often freeze, the picture quality was unsatisfactory and the line would often break, terminating the call.
Consequently, the IT team at BSUH worked with Microsoft to introduce Skype for Business as a user friendly, easy to support and cost effective solution that has been welcomed by Trust staff and patients alike.
Through Skype for Business, consultants are now able to assess stroke patients much faster and can undertake assessments even when they’re off-site or outside normal working hours.
“The difference assessing a patient was amazing the first time we used it. The quality of the pictures is so good that you feel like you’re almost in the room assessing the patient because you can see how they can move their arm, look at their face, you can assess their speech and that’s made it extremely useful and user friendly,” explains Ingrid Kane, Consultant Stroke Physician, BSUH NHS Trust
Similarly, South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust has greatly benefited from introducing Skype for Business.
The NHS Trust faced the challenge of providing ongoing care for their patients in a way that was convenient. By introducing Skype for Business, patients are now able to schedule calls at a convenient time, avoiding taking time out of their work lives and this also means that they don’t have to share the reason for their absence from work with their employer if they would rather keep this information private.
What’s more exciting is that our customers who are using, or considering using Skype for Business can now add internet calling; consolidating their ageing telephony systems and contracts and moving to an online, always available alternative.
