Howz supports Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS FT in major expansion of groundbreaking remote monitoring service

The pioneering TIHM (Technology Integrated Health Management) Service which supports 500 people who have dementia and their carers in their homes in Surrey is being expanded to cover North East Hampshire and Farnham and East Berkshire this Dementia Action Week.

The TIHM Monitoring Service is provided by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. It is based on an award-winning remote monitoring system to reassure people about their health, alert them to potential health issues and, where necessary, ensure they receive prompt treatment and support.

The Service was launched in September 2020 to support people with dementia and their carers during the pandemic. It is currently being used to remotely monitor the health of around 500 people in Surrey. The expansion of the Service will make it available to a further 200 households across North East Hampshire and Farnham, and Bracknell Forest, Slough, and Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead in Berkshire. Both people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their main carer can apply for the service.  

People supported by the Service are provided with easy to use digital devices that track their temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation, general wellbeing and changes in activity in the home. If any of the readings indicate there could be a health issue, an alert is flagged on a centralised system and followed up by a clinically led Monitoring Team. The Team will provide prompt advice and support. If necessary, they will also liaise with 111, hospital services and GPs.

The TIHM Monitoring Service is provided by Surrey and Borders Partnership in partnership with smart home monitoring provider, Howz, Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership and Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System

 Professor Helen Rostill, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Therapies Officer at Surrey and Borders Partnership and Senior Responsible Officer for Mental Health at Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System said: “We are delighted that we are now able to expand the TIHM Monitoring Service to new regions so that more people can access this fantastic support. We know the Service is making a significant difference to people’s lives, helping them to receive prompt treatment and support and reassuring them about their wellbeing.”

People signing up for the Service are provided with a digital thermometer, oximeter, tablet, environmental sensors and smart plug to regularly monitor health and wellbeing. The readings are automatically analysed using data analytics and machine learning. If any of the readings are out of a person’s normal range or activity in the home declines, an alert is flagged on a centralised digital dashboard and the Monitoring Team follows up. The Team has support from GPs and is available daily, from 8am to 8pm. All information collected by the devices is kept confidential and stored securely.

Ramin Nilforooshan, Professor in Psychiatry, consultant psychiatrist and clinical lead for the TIHM service at Surrey and Borders Partnership said: “This service has considerable potential to improve the quality of life of people with dementia across the UK and I’m encouraged to see it being adopted in new regions”

People can apply for the Service, by completing an online form at: www.sabp.nhs.uk/tihm or they can call the Monitoring Team on 0800 448 0786 or email them at rxx.tihm2@nhs.net. It is not available to people in care homes.

Quotes from people who are using the TIHM Monitoring Service

Alan Selfe is 71 and lives with his wife Maureen, 74, in Mytchett in Surrey. He has physical health conditions and mental health difficulties. Alan said:

 “I’ve been using the service for close to a year now. It’s great to know the service is monitoring me and that someone’s aware of what’s going on with my health. Both I and my wife have spoken to the Monitoring Team who have called to check when I have low oxygen levels. It’s so reassuring. I think this service is the way forward as it can help professionals to spot potential health issues and see that people get the right support. To anyone thinking about using the service I would say go for it – I would recommend it to anyone”

 David Stone, who is 84, cares for his wife Gabrielle, who is 72 and has dementia. David said:

"We've been using it for nearly two years and are very pleased with it. It's easy to use and the Monitoring Team have been very helpful. They've got in touch with us to check when Gabrielle's blood pressure has been lower than usual and to let me know if there are signs of movement in the house at night so I know if Gabrielle has been restless when I've been asleep. The service gives Gabrielle much more confidence."