New report highlights the potential of integrated digital health solutions for older adults in Kent and Sussex

Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has published a new report titled “Commissioning integrated digital health solutions for older adults: Insights from Kent and Sussex.” The theoretical report explores how integrated digital health and care technologies could empower older adults to live independently, improve clinical outcomes, and drive efficiency across the health and social care system.

Digital health and care technologies have the potential to empower older adults with increasing health needs to live independently while improving clinical outcomes and system efficiency. However, digital exclusion remains a significant barrier for vulnerable populations, necessitating accessible, integrated solutions that accommodate changing health statuses and diverse user needs.

Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex undertook system-wide engagement, with cross-sector health and care partners in Sussex and Kent to understand:

• What a typical older adult with increasing health requirements needs from digital health and care
• What health and care interventions the health and care workforce need digital to help facilitate
• What specification requirements are needed for digital technologies to be accessible and usable for older adults with increasing health and care needs, as well as for their families and the cross-sector health and care services they use.

To demonstrate the potential economic impact of integrated commissioning we worked with Unity Insights, an evaluation partner, to develop a Budget Impact Model.

Key findings

• Digital inclusion challenges: Many older adults and those with cognitive or physical disabilities lack foundational digital skills or access, risking exclusion from digital health services and exacerbating health inequalities.
• Benefits of digital transformation: Remote consultations, monitoring, and out-of-hospital services can reduce hospital risks and improve convenience. Digital tools also support social connection and medication compliance for patients and caregivers.
• Need for integrated commissioning: Current procurement is often fragmented, leading to duplication, increased costs, and complexity for users. Integrated commissioning across care systems can better serve population needs.
• Health and care delivery requirements: An ideal digital solution should offer a simple, familiar single access point for appointments, virtual consultations, remote monitoring, reminders, assessments, and family involvement with appropriate consents.
• Cost-saving potential: Integrated, accessible, and usable digital solutions could save the health and care system approximately £460 to £4,360 per patient annually by reducing travel time and costs alone, with even greater benefits in rural areas and through hospital admission avoidance.

While no single technology currently meets all the identified needs, the report underscores the importance of commissioning integrated digital solutions tailored to population needs rather than individual services. The findings provide a blueprint for future digital health innovation, with the potential to improve access, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of care for older adults.

Katherine Sykes, Ageing Well Lead at Health Innovation KSS, said:
“This review highlights what our cross-sector workforce needs from technology to optimise care at home for older adults. Integrated digital solutions have the potential to transform care delivery, reduce inequalities, and deliver significant cost savings for our health and care system.”

Download the report now

With thanks to colleagues from Sussex Community Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Sussex, and other professionals for their invaluable contributions to this work.