Encouraging Innovation

Introduction

An element of the overall Telecare Development Programme is used to facilitate innovation. The Telecare Programme Board have identified the following specific areas of activity as priorities.

  • Investigate the potential impact of integrating Telecare & Telehealth within a local system
  • Analyse and explore Contact Centre arrangements to ensure consistent, high quality, cost effective, initial response services across Scotland
  • Integrate Telecare within Single Shared Assessment/Care Planning processes
  • Demonstrate particular opportunities from Telecare/Telehealth for remote and rural locations

However this list is not exhaustive and partnerships may have their own ideas that would require support.

There is no formal process to identify and select "innovation projects", but we are keen to hear from partnerships that are interested and have the capacity to help take this agenda forward. Contact should be made with the Telecare Programme Manager to discuss – you can phone Moira Mackenzie on 0131 244 3366 or send an email via our contact page.

Innovations being progressed

Demonstrators of Older People's Housing, Support, Health and Care

JIT launched an initiative in December 2007 designed to identify the housing aspects of a managed shift in the balance of care for older people at a locality level; capture and disseminate the experiences of partners and develop practical tools to assist other local partnerships. Following a competitive bidding process, three health and social care partnerships - Highland, Inverclyde and West Lothian - have been awarded additional Telecare funds for "housing demonstrator projects". A brief synopsis of the three successful bids can be read here. Updates on progress will be provided at regular intervals.

Telecare Housing Demonstrator Projects [88Kb]

Further background details can be read for more information.

Demonstrator Application [262Kb]

Carers & Telecare

To better understand how telecare can be most effectively used to support unpaid carers, the Telecare Development Programme has entered into a partnership with Carers Scotland. A joint workplan has been agreed, which includes undertaking national research to analyse in greater detail the challenges and benefits of telecare for carers, making recommendations to the Telecare Programme Board for action where appropriate. The findings of the research were presentated at a Carers Scotland Conference, in December 2009, a copy of which is available in the Telecare Publications section.