Following the Home Telehealth Limited/Cornwall publicity on the Long Term Conditions Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) Programme last week, and in the absence of similar news from Kent and Newham or their technology partners, I did a little digging around on their websites.
This paper for LB Newham’s cabinet perhaps throws some light on the situation: plans cannot proceed until agreement over funding and project management is reached with Newham’s Primary Care Trust and further funding is approved by the council.
Vital agreements and decisions are slipping and slipping: The paper reveals that the decision was due to be discussed by the cabinet at its meeting 24th April, which slipped to 22 May, and now again to 19 June.
No wonder so many telecare suppliers who contact me are depressed by the interminable time it takes councils in the UK to decide on, and implement, anything. ‘Slow’ rules the day, it seems. Even after last week’s announcement, the Department of Health’s WSD web page has not been updated!
We taxpayers expect more from the people entrusted to manage this potentially highly significant project: more speed, more openness and more competence. From the Department of Health down.