Whole System Demonstrator
Helping people stay well and live independently

Newham is taking part in a two-year research project to find out if technology can help people manage their own health, stay well and retain their independence. The technology is intended to help older people who need some support to live on their own and people who have long term health conditions such as diabetes and heart failure.

Around 2000 people will be taking part and will have the opportunity to use telecare and telehealth equipment in their homes.

The Department of Health selected Newham as one of three sites in the UK selected to take part in the project. The Primary Care Trust and Council are running the project in partnership

Who is eligible to take part?
People eligible to trial telehealth will have one or more of the following conditions:

• diabetes
• heart failure
• chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD)

People who need some support from social services to keep living on their own will have the opportunity to use telecare.

People who meet the eligibility criteria for both long term conditions and social care needs will be eligible to trial both telecare and telehealth.

Telecare and telehealth

Telecare equipment is used to raise a call for help in emergency situations. This might be because someone has fallen over or because there is a fire or a flood in the property. A combination of alarms, sensors and other response equipment are used to raise the alarm. For example, a bed occupancy sensor can be used to monitor when someone gets out of bed at night in case they fall. A carer or Newham's response service is notified if an alarm is triggered so that people get help and support when they need it.

Telehealth technology helps people with long term conditions manage their health. Vital signs readings such as weight and blood pressure are monitored so that any changes can be dealt with quickly. Vital signs readings are automatically recorded in a set-top box tuned into a TV. Patients can view a history of their readings on the TV screen using a remote control. Community matrons will receive a message if someone's readings go outside the normal range and will decide what should be done to avoid the person becoming ill. This could be lifestyle and diet advice, questionnaires and videos to help people manage their health, a home visit from a care manager or a change in medication.. Telehealth is not an emergency service, it aims to help patients manage their health so that health emergencies can be avoided.


For further information visit www.NewhamWSDTrial.org

or email communications@newhampct.nhs.uk