Hypertension remote monitoring scheme reaches 100,000 patients

by Tonya Stewart

More than 100,000 patients have accessed a remote monitoring scheme for hypertension management in Scotland, run in partnership with Inhealthcare.

The ConnectMe programme, which launched in 2021, is used by 12 of the 14 Scottish health boards for patients either suspected or diagnosed with hypertension.

It enables patients to share their blood pressure readings with healthcare professionals remotely through the Inhealthcare platform, without the need for a GP appointment.

Patients, who are referred, can either use their own blood pressure monitor or equipment loaned to the patient by their GP practice to send readings in, which the clinician can then remotely monitor.

High blood pressure is thought to affect an estimated 1.3 million Scottish people and is the leading preventable risk factor for heart and circulatory disease, associated with around half of all strokes and heart attacks.

Neil Gray, health secretary for Scotland, said: “Connect Me is another example of how we’re embracing technology to help tackle the challenges facing health and social care.

“It’s extremely encouraging to see that over 100,000 patients have benefitted from the platform to date saving an estimated 400,000 appointments.

“I would encourage health boards to increase the roll out of ConnectMe and for people who have hypertension to ask their GPs if they might be eligible for the programme.

“By empowering patients to take control of their wellbeing we are not only improving health outcomes but also significantly reducing pressure on primary care services”.

The programme is  estimated to have saved more than 400,000 face-to-face appointments since its launch in 2021, helping reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Natalie Duffield, sales and marketing director at Inhealthcare, said: “Connect Me showcases how digital healthcare can transform the patient experience and clinical outcomes.

“We’re proud to partner with Scotland on this pioneering initiative and look forward to continued innovation”.

Connect Me is now expanding the blood pressure pathway into secondary care to help patients attending clinics for dietary problems, heart failure, hypertension, kidney disease, and strokes.

Patients will provide blood pressure readings alongside other measurements like heart rate, oxygen levels, and weight according to their clinical needs.

An initial pilot, focusing on cardiology, stroke and hypertension, is expected to begin in two health boards in summer 2024, to be followed by a more widescale roll-out.

In June 2024, the Scottish government announced an investment of £3.6 million to fund its Hospital at Home remote care initiative for older people in 2024- 2025.