Publication of results from major three year telehealth study builds case for ‘at scale’ roll-out of supported self-care

Guildford, United Kingdom - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) has today announced the publication of a new report – Evidence for Supported Self Care at Scale – during an exclusive event held at the King’s Fund, London. The report details the findings of a large scale supported self-care programme rolled-out across Liverpool among 1,808* people living with long-term conditions (LTCs), including diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The largest study of its kind to have ever been initiated in Liverpool, working in partnership with NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), it sought to improve patient independence and emotional well-being using innovative tele-monitoring equipment alongside the support of a clinical hub and structured programme of case management, monitoring, education and coaching for populations living with varying levels of long-term conditions.

The results highlighted clear benefits among study participants, with reductions in emergency admissions and secondary care costs ranging from 22% to 32% for patients with above average risk (25% or more). Furthermore, patient reported outcomes suggested that 90% felt more in control of their condition, had gained confidence and/or felt better able to cope.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Simon Bowers, Digital Care and Innovation Clinical Director, NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said; “The results from this telehealth program are really game-changing. This technology is helping people feel more confident about managing their condition at home, which in turn can lower the risk of them being admitted to hospital as an emergency. This is good for the NHS, but more importantly it’s good for the individual patients, who are being empowered to take control of their health and having the opportunity of a better quality of life as a result.”

In the face of continued pressures on the NHS, innovative self-care programmes, such as this, have the potential to support a substantial reduction in avoidable hospital admissions that cost the NHS £1.42 billion in 2012, and have been rising ever since. ⁱ In Liverpool alone, 30% of the population is currently living with one or more long term conditions, and are at a higher risk of repeat emergency admissions to hospital, sometimes in situations that could have been avoided.

“The results from Liverpool are critical as we build upon the already significant evidence base that supports the role of assistive remote monitoring technology and service design in improving patient outcomes and reducing costs among those living with chronic and long-term conditions,” commented Jeroen Tas, CEO, Connected Care & Health Informatics at Philips Healthcare. "At Philips, we’re committed to working in partnerships such as that with Liverpool CCG, to help realise system efficiencies that ultimately make the patient journey easier. Seeing the potential for achieving this at-scale is not just important for Liverpool, but potentially vital for securing the future health of the NHS and for providing patients with tailored and continuous health support.”

Access to the full copy of the report can be gained by contacting Philips directly.

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* The report details the findings of an initial cohort of 1,808 study participants, although more than 2,500 have to-date received support and self-care coaching through the programme