Internet Access and Skills Response to Recommendation
TOTAL SCORE: 9
Score
A1 (Feasibility increased by continuance of pandemic): +1
A2 (Necessity increased by covid pandemic): +1
A3 (political viability): +1
B1 (Relevance to the specific goal of increasing HALE by 5 years by 2035): +1
B2 (Relevance to general goal of biomedical healthy life extension): 0
C1 (Market readiness applicability): +1
C2 (Project readiness): 0
C3 (Move to market readiness): +1
D1 (Actionability): 0
D2 (Degree of measurability): 0
D3 (Degree of leveraging cross-sector inputs): 0
D4 (Awareness of international context): +1
D5 (Resourcefulness): +1
D6 (Reorganisation): 0
E (Disruptiveness): 0
F (Dividends - does the recommendation aid in social activity and inclusivity?): +1
This also scores +1 on Market Readiness Applicability, as an industry of age-friendly digital technologies is already beginning to take root internationally, and +1 on “awareness of international context” as it appears to follow international examples of nations such as Japan which have embraced this industry.
RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY
“The use of wearable and implantable technologies for monitoring health conditions and administering treatments is likely to become increasingly common. Such technologies have potential to provide more precise and timely treatment, and could contribute to better health and greater independence in old age. (Paragraph 309)
Non-medical devices can be a source of useful information for individuals seeking to live more healthily. It will be necessary for the Government to continue to monitor developments in the sector to ensure an appropriate approach to standards. (Paragraph 313)
The Government is to be commended for developing its loneliness strategy. Older people need strong social contacts, with the priority being face-to-face interactions. There is also the need for people to develop digital skills to use technologies that can reduce social isolation and loneliness. (Paragraph 318)
With much healthcare data now held electronically, alongside data generated by non-medical devices, there is a valuable opportunity to develop more sophisticated methods of monitoring and predicting how well people age. There is a need to further reduce technical barriers to data integration across different platforms and administrative barriers to providing anonymised patient data for clinical trials. (Paragraph 325)
In order to improve uptake and usefulness of technologies and services that can contribute to healthier and independent living in old age, it is important to base the process of development and deployment around older people’s needs, preferences and abilities. It is beneficial for older people to be involved in the design of these products and services. (Paragraph 329)
Public trust in data security is key if data-driven services and new technologies are to be deployed widely and used to their potential. Ongoing public engagement will be necessary to reassure the public on matters of trust and privacy regarding healthcare data, so that people are more willing to share data that can contribute to their own healthcare and to the development of wider advice for healthy ageing. (Paragraph 333)
We recommend that the Government ensures internet access for all homes so that older people can access services to help them live independently and in better health. The Government should promote and support lifelong digital skills training so that people enter old age with the ability to use beneficial technologies. Greater support should be provided to the large proportion of the current older generation which lacks these skills, so that they do not miss out on the benefits of available technologies. (Paragraph 338)”
Score
A1 (Feasibility increased by continuance of pandemic): +1
A2 (Necessity increased by covid pandemic): +1
A3 (political viability): +1
B1 (Relevance to the specific goal of increasing HALE by 5 years by 2035): +1
B2 (Relevance to general goal of biomedical healthy life extension): 0
C1 (Market readiness applicability): +1
C2 (Project readiness): 0
C3 (Move to market readiness): +1
D1 (Actionability): 0
D2 (Degree of measurability): 0
D3 (Degree of leveraging cross-sector inputs): 0
D4 (Awareness of international context): +1
D5 (Resourcefulness): +1
D6 (Reorganisation): 0
E (Disruptiveness): 0
F (Dividends - does the recommendation aid in social activity and inclusivity?): +1
This also scores +1 on Market Readiness Applicability, as an industry of age-friendly digital technologies is already beginning to take root internationally, and +1 on “awareness of international context” as it appears to follow international examples of nations such as Japan which have embraced this industry.
RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY
“The use of wearable and implantable technologies for monitoring health conditions and administering treatments is likely to become increasingly common. Such technologies have potential to provide more precise and timely treatment, and could contribute to better health and greater independence in old age. (Paragraph 309)
Non-medical devices can be a source of useful information for individuals seeking to live more healthily. It will be necessary for the Government to continue to monitor developments in the sector to ensure an appropriate approach to standards. (Paragraph 313)
The Government is to be commended for developing its loneliness strategy. Older people need strong social contacts, with the priority being face-to-face interactions. There is also the need for people to develop digital skills to use technologies that can reduce social isolation and loneliness. (Paragraph 318)
With much healthcare data now held electronically, alongside data generated by non-medical devices, there is a valuable opportunity to develop more sophisticated methods of monitoring and predicting how well people age. There is a need to further reduce technical barriers to data integration across different platforms and administrative barriers to providing anonymised patient data for clinical trials. (Paragraph 325)
In order to improve uptake and usefulness of technologies and services that can contribute to healthier and independent living in old age, it is important to base the process of development and deployment around older people’s needs, preferences and abilities. It is beneficial for older people to be involved in the design of these products and services. (Paragraph 329)
Public trust in data security is key if data-driven services and new technologies are to be deployed widely and used to their potential. Ongoing public engagement will be necessary to reassure the public on matters of trust and privacy regarding healthcare data, so that people are more willing to share data that can contribute to their own healthcare and to the development of wider advice for healthy ageing. (Paragraph 333)
We recommend that the Government ensures internet access for all homes so that older people can access services to help them live independently and in better health. The Government should promote and support lifelong digital skills training so that people enter old age with the ability to use beneficial technologies. Greater support should be provided to the large proportion of the current older generation which lacks these skills, so that they do not miss out on the benefits of available technologies. (Paragraph 338)”