The Telecare Services Association yesterday announced the appointment of two new directors to help the organisation develop a strategy for the telehealth sector. The telecare/telehealth theme of this year’s TSA conference* reflected the realisation of the long-anticipated movement in the UK for the two to merge.
Dr Malcolm Fisk, chair of the TSA, said: “From a governmental perspective, community health and social care are destined to converge and it is therefore entirely logical that TSA reflects this trend and develops resources and expertise. The new appointments are a strategic move for TSA at a time of rapid change in health and social care services in the UK. Key elements of TSA’s role in the months ahead will be to present a single voice to government and to highlight the potential of telecare and telehealth within mainstream services.”
The appointments are:
- Dr Nicholas Robinson, the Associate Clinical Director for Long Term Conditions and Telecare at NHS Direct and a GP.
- Dr Russell Jones, a partner at the Chorleywood Health Centre in Hertfordshire. He is a GP with significant experience of deploying telehealth in the community. (See Chorleywood video in the video library – bottom of page.) In 2002 he became an Associate Professor of Medical Informatics at Brunel University.
This development is also a response to three other trends: TSA service provider members seeking guidance about working with primary care trusts or health boards to deliver telehealth schemes; telecare suppliers are adding telehealth equipment to their product portfolio, and increasing numbers of health-specific companies applying for TSA membership.
*For comment on the conference, see Soapbox item by cardiologist Dr Lance Forbat.
TSA website: www.telecare.org.uk
