The Healthcare Problem
Healthcare systems across the world are struggling with increasingly ageing populations. There are over 15 million people in England with long-term health needs, and the NHS estimates that every decade, as a result of the ageing of the population alone, the number of people with long-term conditions will increase by over a million. The number aged 85 years and over is projected to rise by nearly 75 per cent by 2025.
The present model for healthcare will become increasing unsustainable in the future. This invites the question: “how can technology help a population that is increasingly aging and suffering from chronic diseases to live safer and more comfortable lives within their own homes?”.
The Existing State of Telehealth
Telehealth markets are characterised by fragmented and small-scale deployments. Barriers include lack of interoperability due to lack of standards, cost and technology problems providing communications links into homes and the lack of a high volume route to market.
There are also cost and technology barriers related to internet access. Most telecare offerings rely on the manufacturer supplying a home communications hub in addition to the sensors themselves. Capital cost is a barrier.
However new standardisation work holds out the promise for better interoperability and lower costs. Project Hydra has adopted these standards and is showing them in action as part of its work. The standards include those backed by the Continua Alliance, IEEE 11073, ZigBee Healthcare Profile and IHD-PCD01.