£7.5 billion could be saved if health tech was rolled out across the UK, according to a new study.
Research conducted by Now Healthcare Group has highlighted that the use of telehealth or digital consultations could remove the need for 56 per cent of GP appointments and three per cent of hospital appointments.
According to findings, £2.2bn could be saved through re-directing patients via health apps to nurses or pharmacies, as 27 per cent of consultations held through an app did not need to be seen by a GP and 41 per cent could have been dealt with by a different professional.
If digital health tech was adopted across employers, NHG claimed 600 days in sickness absence per 100,000 people could be prevented.
“This report explores and quantifies the benefits that such an approach to primary care offers to patients, public health services and society,” said Dr Andrew Thornber, chief medical officer at Now Healthcare Group.
“The ultimate conclusions show that adoption of digital solutions can have a significant positive impact on GP pressure, medicine adherence and medicine wastage.”
The findings fall in line with the NHS ten-year plan to evolve and meet the changing needs of the patient, ensuring that pressure on GPs does not affect their practice and efficiency of delivery.
Lee Dentith, CEO and founder of Now Healthcare Group added: “It is clear from this report that digital technology has huge potential to improve efficiencies across public health services whilst simultaneously enhancing outcomes for patients.
“With smartphone penetration rates approaching 90% of the UK population, the concept of putting control, literally, in the hand of the patient has clearly come of age.”
The results also serve to support the recent news which the NHS highlighted that more than 20,000 physios, pharmacists and paramedics are to be recruited in England to work alongside under-pressure GPs.