Telecoms expert to enable digital health growth in third sector

People with long-term conditions and local health communities are to have a say in growing the use of technology in health, after a former Government telecoms expert has been appointed to a new role with the third sector.

Zahid Deen, former head of the Scottish Government’s telecoms policy, is to work with the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) to provide specialist advice and support to charities and individuals who are using technology to monitor and treat conditions.

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It is hoped he will also make it easier for the views of disabled people and those with long term conditions to help shape the future role of technology in health and social care.

The Scottish Government’s ambition is for the country to be recognised internationally for its use of eHealth and telehealth, and recently pledged £30m through to 2018 as part of the technology-enabled care (TEC) programme. However increases in the number of elderly people using digital solutions have been slight.

ALLIANCE chief executive Ian Welsh welcomed the appointment.

“Working alongside our award nominated A Local Information System for Scotland (ALISS) project, Zahid’s appointment highlights the important role the ALLIANCE has to play in shaping the future of health and social care services in the digital age and increasing participation among people with long term conditions and disabled people,” he said.