Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Tunstall Sign Landmark Partnership to Extend Use of Telehealthcare

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has signed a new partnership agreement with Tunstall for 2009 to deliver ADASS objectives through the accelerated application of telehealthcare technology.

The partnership agreement was officially signed at this year's ADASS conference in Liverpool, and will encourage the development and implementation of telehealthcare services across England to directly and positively influence care services by developing personalised care that will promote choice and control for people in need of care.

Tunstall will be working closely with social care professionals in each of the nine ADASS regions across the UK on a range of activities to develop locally based resources and services that will integrate telehealthcare into overall care delivery, promoting recovery, independence health and well-being across a range of specialties.

The use of telehealthcare services will also directly assist ADASS members to deliver cost efficient services, ensuring care providers are able to make the most effective use of valuable health and social care resources.

Kevin Alderson, public sector policy director at Tunstall said: We have been working with ADASS for a number of years and this new partnership will mutually benefit both Tunstall and ADASS. It will help the telehealthcare industry to develop nationally by establishing the most effective use of telehealthcare technology in a localised setting.

Telehealthcare is delivering real and tangible benefits both in terms of improving outcomes and also in ensuring the most cost-effective use of health and social care resources. Scotland has experienced a 5 to 1 return on the Scottish Executive's £8m investment in telecare, and by mainstreaming its use of telecare across social care services, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is delivering annual total cost savings of over £220,000.

Telehealthcare brings together telecare and telehealth as a combined solution, and supports the national drive for integration and a more flexible, integrated approach to health and social care delivery within the community setting, keeping people healthy, safe and in control within their own homes, in line with the Putting People First agenda.

Telehealthcare offers people the choice to stay in their own homes, whilst at the same time receive support from local health and social care authorities to keep them healthy. The technologys flexibility means a tailored package of care can be created for the individual, said John Dixon, President of ADASS. Telehealthcare is also beneficial to carers as it provides them with the opportunity to find time for themselves and restore lost independence.

ADASS believes that telehealthcare will play a pivotal role in supporting the Governments goal of providing more personalised care to improve outcomes and support independence, health and well-being.

For more information on telehealthcare and the role it can play in supporting health and social care delivery, visit www.tunstall.co.uk