I [Editor Steve] have previously noted that there is a myth developing outside the UK that, because the headline results of the Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) Programme were so good, the UK Government is going to provide telehealth to 3 million people in the next 5 years. For an example, see “…the British government plans to roll out telehealth monitors to three million homes over the next five years”, buried three-quarters of the way down a US Reuters item, which was reproduced in its entirety by a Canadian paper – and will be again by others no doubt. Let’s get it straight: the 3millionlives (3ML) initiative to which this refers is supposed to cover not just telehealth, but telecare [see definitions, right sidebar]; it is not a plan, it is an aspiration, and it is not funded by the Government but may be funded – or not funded – by the telecare and telehealth supplier companies. OK?
However, I’m sure that the UK’s Department of Health with its heads we win (if it delivers), tails you lose (if it doesn’t) position will not be unhappy if the myth perpetuates.