Funding and Policies

Funding & policies are geared towards delivering high quality care closer to home. Outlined below are a number of government policies and funding streams that relate to telehealthcare.


Health policy and funding

High Quality Care for All

NHS Next Stage Review final report by Lord Darzi. The report emphasises the importance of innovation to deliver quality care services and how ‘remote health monitors’ and assistive technology will play an increasing role in providing effective care and support.

High, Quality care for all

QIPP - Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention

A Department of Health initiative allowing the NHS to drive up quality whilst improving productivity - a challenge which means harnessing and spreading innovation as the key driver for sustained quality and enhanced patient experience.

Innovation Fund

On 27 April 2009, the Department of Health announced the creation of a regional innovation fund totalling £220m to be spent over 5 years, starting in 2009/10, focused on promoting innovation in healthcare delivery, health improvement and patient engagement.

Innovation fund

WSD – Whole System Demonstrator

The Whole System Demonstrators sites are exploring the use of telehealth and telecare to provide integrated health and social care. The demonstrators will lead to a better understanding of the level of benefit associated with such developments. They will also help fast track future change by addressing the key implementation barriers and providing solutions for the wider NHS and social care.

WSD Action Network


Social/Housing policy & funding

Putting People First

Putting People First is a groundbreaking concordat between Central Government, Local Government, the professional leadership of adult Social Care and the NHS. There is £520m of ring fenced funding to support system-wide transformation in Social Care over the next three years through the introduction of Personal Care budgets.

To support the transformation there is a new social care reform grant, consisting of:

  • £85 million in 2008/09
  • £195 million in 2009/10
  • £240 million in 2010/11

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Equipment for disabled Children and Young People

NHS funding includes - £310 million investment in short break and community equipment and wheelchair services and £30 million to deliver on the priorities for children’s palliative care

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National Dementia Strategy

With multiple mentions of Telecare, the National Dementia Strategy ensures that significant improvements are made to dementia services across three key areas:

  • improved awareness - we need to ensure better knowledge about dementia and remove the stigma that sadly still surrounds it.
  • earlier diagnosis and intervention - we have to ensure that people with dementia are properly diagnosed
  • higher quality of care - we must develop a range of services for people with dementia and their carers which fully meets their changing needs over time.

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Social Care Green paper

With telecare a key preventative strategy, Shaping the Future of Care Together sets out a vision for a new care and support system. The Green Paper highlights the challenges faced by the current system and the need for radical reform, to develop a National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone.

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Independent Living Strategy

Acknowledging the growing gulf between Government policy and the real experiences of disabled people on the ground, the Independent Living Strategy sets out a five-year cross-government plan for closing the gap. The aims are that by 2013 disabled people have more choice and control over how their needs for support and equipment are met and to make significant progress in tackling barriers to access to health, housing, transport, and employment opportunities.

Independent living strategy

Carers strategy

'Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities' has multiple references to telecare and consists of £150m funding over two years.

Carers strategy

The Disabled Facilities Grant

The Disabled Facilities Grant can be used to help fund the provision of adaptations to enable disabled people to live as comfortably and independently as possible in their own homes. The maximum amount of grant that a council is required to pay is £25,000 in Northern Ireland, £30,000 in England and £36,000 in Wales per application less any assessed contribution from you. If the cost of the eligible works is more, the council can use discretionary powers to increase the amount.

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Assisted Living Innovation Platform’s (ALIP)

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Department of Health (DH) and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) have agreed to fund a number of activities in the area of Assisted Living under the umbrella of the TSB Assisted Living Innovation Platform (ALIP).

The aim of the Assisted Living Innovation Platform is to make significant advances in the technology needed to enable people who suffer from chronic long-term conditions to live independently.  Given the predicted increase in the numbers of people living with such conditions, current care models are unsustainable, and major changes will be needed.  The platform will also be able to consider the requirements of well being, and address the societal challenges raised by health conditions that require a preventative approach.