Planning and implementing major health and social care technology programmes

Newham Council initiated a pilot project introducing advanced assistive technologies (telecare and telehealth) in 2004. Additional funding in 2006 provided the means to extend a service to over 4000 residents. In 2007, Newham successfully bid to become a Department of Health Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) site. This new project will be integrated with the existing service to target people at risk of hospital admission due to a defined group of long‐term conditions, and people with complex social care needs, with sophisticated technologies, interventions and support in their own homes. This paper describes the project methodology and the particular challenges that are faced. These include the development of a robust evaluation, which will provide statistical evidence of the effects of the technologies across the health and social care spectrum, as well as addressing and overcoming issues associated with information flow, change management and partnership working.