Harrogate health firm backs calls for adoption of tech as UK faces increase in number of people living with illness

Inhealthcare has spoken out after a new report from the Health Foundation warned that 9.1 million people would be living with conditions such as cancer, diabetes and kidney disease by 2040, 2.5 million more than in 2019. The independent charity added that the increase of 37 per cent was nine times the rate at which the working age population was expected to grow over the same period.

The Health Foundation said its findings pointed to big changes in how care should be delivered in future and reinforced the need for investment in general practices and community-based services, focusing on prevention and early intervention to reduce the impact of illness and improve the quality of people’s lives.

The report highlighted “the importance of adopting and spreading technologies that make health services more efficient at delivering current forms of care”*.

Inhealthcare CEO Bryn Sage said: “We welcome the Health Foundation’s findings, especially its recommendation for the widespread adoption of technologies to help meet future demand for health services. Our extensive experience of working with the NHS has demonstrated beyond doubt how remote monitoring eases pressure on care services and gives patients the support they need to live with major illnesses.

“Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is expanding a successful remote monitoring service with Inhealthcare to help increase life expectancy and improve quality of life for patients diagnosed with heart failure. Analysis of the six months before and after introduction showed a significant reduction in hospital bed days, A&E attendances, GP visits and out-of-hours appointments.

“We would urge the Government to help the NHS roll out remote monitoring across primary and community care services and consider how these technologies can support people with illnesses newly identified by the forthcoming launch of digital health checks."

According to the Health Foundation, the share of the adult population living with major illness is projected to increase to almost one in five by 2040 from almost one in six in 2019.

Most of the increase will be among those in the 70 years and older bracket.

Inhealthcare is also working with Surrey Heartlands Health and Care partnership in a bid to support nearly 126,000 people who are estimated to be living with poorly-controlled diagnosed or undiagnosed hypertension. The firm’s service is designed to allow patients to monitor blood pressure from their own home, without the need to visit a GP practice.