Sir John Oldham has told the opening session of Smart Healthcare Live that telehealth must save money, or it will simply involve "putting some expensive electronics in someone's house".
He said that NHS organisations needed to change systems before introducing the technology, so that its use reduced the need for other healthcare services. "We can't afford to invest in this stuff and not reap the benefits," Oldham said, adding that not doing so would be "a recipe for profligacy".
He gave the example of one patient he had met who had gone from visiting six out-patient clinics before telehealth equipment was installed, to seven afterwards. "Many examples I see are additive, not substitutive," Oldham said.
