The new report from technology company Tunstall highlights that the scale of potential savings could be significantly increased with reform to funding and the integration of health and care to prioritise preventative solutions, as has been effectively introduced in Spain.

The Spanish model sees central funding provided for proactive services, which shifts the focus from crisis-driven responses to preventative interventions. By building in risk identification, tailoring of telecare solutions and leveraging data, benefits are accrued to health and care settings, as well as to both individuals receiving care and caregivers. The move to proactive and telecare in Spain has contributed to 54% fewer emergency calls, a 36% reduction in ambulance mobilisations and a further 8.6 more months of independent living at home realising significant benefits for the country.

Meanwhile, while UK health and care budgets continue to grow year on year in real terms, costs are increasing faster than spending at a time when ageing populations have increasingly complex needs. Current UK funding models prevent health and care systems from realising the benefits from a more integrated and proactive approach, the report says. Despite progress with the pooling of funds through ICBs, certain funding streams remain distinct, complicating efforts to fully-integrate initiatives. By reducing duplication, enhancing preventive care, and addressing chronic conditions early, integration lowers overall costs.

To access these benefits, the report sets out how the 10-Year Plan could provide targeted funding consideration by NHS England, via ICBs, to support local authorities. The report also highlights what UK policymakers can learn from other countries in addition to Spain, including France, Germany and Finland, where steps towards greater health and care integration are benefitting their healthcare systems.

Patti Wynn, chief health & care strategy officer at Tunstall, says: ‘We are at a key moment of opportunity here in the UK, as the Government and partners grapple with the future of the NHS. The opportunities presented by technology are evolving at pace, and to address the challenges of funding pressures from an ageing population, now is the time to "invest to save".

‘In this report, we are drawing on Tunstall's global reach to learn from other markets about what is possible when this approach is taken. By unlocking funding to leverage proactive telecare, we can create a future-ready healthcare model that is efficient, equitable, and resilient.'