Mr. Liam Woods:

There was significant growth in respiratory self-monitoring in people's homes and in hospitals using digital solutions during the Covid pandemic. There has been some growth in such monitoring. In the area the Deputy referred to, clinical leads will often bring forward such technologies as potential care improvements. Stroke and blood pressure monitoring, and monitoring in the area of coagulation the Deputy talked about, can come through a national clinical process. It can come through cardiology, stroke leads nationally and local units, where there are clinical leaders. There are already some examples of that happening within the community. As self-monitoring devices improve and are clinically acceptable in what they do, that can roll out further.

Some of that is happening within the primary care chronic condition management approach right now. The effect of it is to allow people maintain lower levels of acuity or increased wellness, reduce the need for hospital beds and better service in the community. That is happening. Can it happen further? Yes, it can. Technology is developing all the time that is doing so.