GPs at a Bristol medical centre have used telehealth solutions to improve care for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), helping them to remain independent and out of emergency care.

The Orchard Medical Centre in Bristol has integrated remote monitoring systems from Tunstall Healthcare into its CHF service to provide a cost-effective model for the management of this condition.

The centre has freed up care resources and reduced the number of hospital admissions by providing these services.

One patient's medication compliance improved after she was enabled to view the direct link between poor compliance, weight gain and low oxygen saturation. Another patient did not require out-of-hours care in 18 months, whereas previously she had needed four hospital stays in nine months.

CHF treatment costs the NHS £600m each year, and 60% of this is hospital care. Supporting patients at home through telehealth thus has the potential to achieve significant savings.

Telehealth has proven valuable in identifying changes (e.g. in body weight) at an early stage, enabling early intervention. It has also been shown to improve patient compliance.

"Telehealth keeps people where they want to be, and that's at home with their family," said Dr Richard Berkley, clinical lead on the telehealth project. "Daily monitoring has enabled more accurate titration of patient medication, and also gives patients valuable reassurance, reducing the risks of exacerbation and hospital admission."

The GP practice used remote monitoring systems to integrate and transmit data from weighing scales, blood pressure monitors, peak flow meters and ECG monitors.

The project was a joint venture between local NHS and social care authorities, funded by a technology grant from the council and project support from Takeda UK Ltd. The Orchard Medical Centre is now looking to expand telehealth services in the region.