BT Group’s digital incubation hub, Etc., is scaling its preventative remote care solution across the North of England, aiming to prevent over 80 heart attacks and strokes in the next three years through early monitoring and intervention.
The solution, developed with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, allows patients to upload vitals and biometrics for doctors to monitor remotely, shifting the NHS approach from reactive to preventative. Following a successful pilot earlier this year, the initiative will now be extended to 26 GP practices and 228,000 patients, contributing to the NHS’s Long Term Plan to prevent 150,000 serious health events over the next decade.
- BT Group’s digital incubation arm Etc. has launched a preventative remote care initiative in the North of England.
- The initiative aims to prevent over 80 heart attacks and strokes in the next three years through early monitoring and intervention.
- The solution enables proactive care and could save £1.5 million in healthcare costs over the next three years.
Stepping Up Preventative Remote Care in Northern England
A new digital health initiative is set to be launched across the North of England, with the ambitious aim of preventing over 80 serious cardiovascular events in the next three years. This project, a preventative remote care solution, has been developed by Etc., the digital incubation arm of BT Group.
Changing the Game in Healthcare
The innovative service is designed to shift the NHS’s approach from reactive to preventative care. It does this by identifying, monitoring, and reducing the risks of serious cardiovascular events. This is achieved through a digital platform that allows clinicians to monitor patients remotely, while patients can upload their vitals and biometrics from anywhere via an app.
“This will now be rolled out across 26 GP practices amongst 228,000 people based in Warrington, Cheshire, and is estimated to prevent over 80 strokes and heart attacks by helping shift the NHS’s approach to care from reactive to preventative.”
More Than Just a Pilot
This isn’t the first time Etc.’s remote care solution has been put into action. Earlier this year, a pilot project in Northwest England treated over 1,000 at-risk patients, potentially preventing around 30 serious cardiovascular events in just seven months.
Supporting the NHS Long-Term Plan
This initiative supports the NHS Long Term Plan’s goal to prevent 150,000 strokes, heart attacks, and dementia cases over the next decade. The Plan, which values early intervention as key to reducing serious illnesses, aims for a more sustainable, equitable, and cost-effective health service for all.
Final Thoughts
The move to preventative care is a logical and necessary step in the evolution of healthcare. By identifying and addressing health risks early on, we can not only save lives but also make healthcare more cost-effective. The success of Etc.’s pilot project suggests that their remote care solution could play a significant role in achieving this goal. However, as with any ambitious initiative, it will require careful monitoring and evaluation to ensure it delivers on its promise.
FAQ
Q: What is the purpose of the preventative remote care initiative developed by BT Group’s digital incubation arm Etc.?
A: The purpose of the initiative is to prevent, detect, and manage cardiovascular disease through early monitoring and pre-emptive intervention.
Q: How does the preventative remote care solution work?
A: The solution is delivered via a platform for clinicians to monitor patients remotely and for patients to upload their vitals and biometrics from anywhere using an app. It identifies, monitors, and reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular events.
Q: How many patients will be involved in the pilot of the preventative remote care initiative?
A: The initiative will be piloted amongst 228,000 patients across the North of England.
Q: How many strokes and heart attacks are estimated to be prevented through this initiative?
A: It is estimated that over 80 strokes and heart attacks will be prevented by shifting the NHS’s approach to care from reactive to preventative.
Q: What is the potential cost-saving of this initiative?
A: The initiative could help save £1.5 million in healthcare costs over the next three years.
Q: How does this initiative contribute to the NHS’s Long Term Plan?
A: The initiative aligns with the NHS’s ambition outlined in the Long Term Plan to prevent 150,000 strokes, heart attacks, and dementia cases over the next 10 years by focusing on early intervention and preventative care.
Q: How successful was the first pilot of the preventative remote care solution?
A: The first pilot treated 1,090 eligible at-risk patients and potentially prevented 30 cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes within seven months of implementation.
Q: What other healthcare solutions has Etc. developed?
A: Etc. has also developed a Smart Practice offering, which supports GP demand management and improved patient experience. It connects cloud-based telephony with digital access and provides patients with an easier way to book appointments, tests, and request medication.
Q: What other healthcare solutions do BT Group offer?
A: BT Group offers virtual ward and care programs to support the NHS, as well as AI and digital diagnosis services to help speed up diagnosis and unlock the benefits of AI for more hospitals.