NHS England’s tele-health programme has been “re-focused” to create practical to commission technology-enabled care services.
The Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS) programme was borne from the NHS’ flagship tele-health and tele-medicine programme 3millionlives.
NHS England medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh said that the programme will empower patients and improve health outcomes.
NHS England’s tele-health programme has been “re-focused” to create practical to commission technology-enabled care services.
The Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS) programme was borne from the NHS’ flagship tele-health and tele-medicine programme 3millionlives.
NHS England medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh said that the programme will empower patients and improve health outcomes.
An online toolkit, aimed at helping commissioners and health and social care professionals maximise the benefits of TECS, will be launched later this autumn.
In a letter sent to around 250 key stakeholders, Sir Bruce said: “The TECS programme has been re-focused to address the demand from health and social care professionals for support and practical tools to commission, procure, implement and evaluate technology enabled care services.
“Our ambition is to create the right commissioning environment that supports and encourages the innovative use of technology to improve health outcomes, empower patients, and deliver more cost-effective services as part of a modern model of integrated care.”
Examples of how technology could be better integrated with healthcare include the use of wearable biosensors and capable of sensing, analysing and displaying vital information instantly, rather than through check-ups at a hospital or GP practice.
Sir Bruce said it will “lead to better health outcomes” while being more convenient for the patient, their carer and their clinician.
He said: “This is the future of healthcare. Twenty years from now, we will use technology to access our health services as a matter of course. That future is fast approaching as technologies constantly evolve, adapt and improve.”
NHS England has created a TECS Implementation Group consisting of experts and leaders from across these sectors whose remit is to support the strategic development and delivery of the proposals within the Improvement Plan.
There will also be a TECS Executive Steering Group which will meet regularly to provide clinical, technological and strategic leadership for the programme at a director level in NHS England.
