Appropriate use and efficacy of telehealth comes under scrutiny

The government has pledged that at least three million people in the UK, with long-term conditions, will benefit from telehealth and telecare, but two independent studies published in the last month alone, have cast doubt on whether the technology can improve patient outcomes or save NHS costs.

Their publication comes just months after health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced England was set to become a 'world leader' in health technology, confirming the launch of seven telehealth pathfinders.

Reducing visits
The ambition is for telehealth devices to reduce the need for general practice or hospital visits by allowing patients to manage their health independently at home (see box page 8).