The extra funding will be allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) to be spent this financial year across the health and social care system. PCTs will work closely with hospitals and local authorities in delivering this. It will enable local areas to help thousands of people and ensure services are in place by the time the NHS picks up new responsibilities in April 2011 for patients' first 30 days at home after hospital discharge.
Adrian Stevens, Managing Director of iSOFT UK and Ireland, said: "Through its recent telehealth assistive technologies agreement with Buying Solutions, a government agency, iSOFT and partners supplies a broad range of telecare and telehealth solutions.
"iSOFT strongly agrees with the government's plan to support patients after release from hospital and assist the patient to become independent in their own home. We expect this strategy will bring benefits in terms of lowering readmissions and also bring care closer to the patient, underlining the values outlined in the recent white paper 'Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS'. This new service will help improve patient experience and patient outcomes while also empowering the patient.
"However, for this strategy to be effective joined-up care and the integration of services is essential. Also, patients need to be provided with the relevant self monitoring devices, information and links to health professionals in their own homes."
Telehealth and telecoaching is a key element in the implementation of this scheme.
"iSOFT is uniquely well positioned to help deliver against this new agenda and has a portfolio of products and services that provide an enabling infrastructure for connecting care communities," Stevens added.
"Through its recent telehealth assistive technologies agreement with Buying Solutions, a government agency, iSOFT and partners supplies a broad range of telecare and telehealth solutions."
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- iSOFT Group Limited's Profile
About iSOFT Group
iSOFT Group Limited (ASX: ISF) is the largest health information technology company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, and among the world's biggest providers of advanced application solutions in modern healthcare economies.
iSOFT works with healthcare professionals to design and build software applications that answer all of the difficult questions posed by today’s healthcare delivery challenges. Our solutions act as a catalyst for change, supporting free exchange of critical information across diverse care settings and participating organisations.
Today, more than 13,000 provider organisations in over 40 countries use iSOFT's solutions to manage patient information and drive improvements in their core processes. The group's sustainable development is delivered through careful planning, in-depth analysis of the market, and anticipation of our clients' evolving requirements. Our business is driven by the collective talent, experience and commitment of more than 4,700 specialists in 19 countries worldwide, including more than 2,700 technology and development professionals.
A global network of iSOFT subsidiaries, supported by an extensive partner network, provides substantial experience of national healthcare markets. As a result, we offer our clients comprehensive knowledge of local market requirements in terms of culture, language, working practices, regulation and organizational structure.