Director of the Smart Energy Research Lab (SERL), Simon Elam, chaired the launch (18th November) of a new report that looks at how smart meters could play an important role in the future of health and social care. The report, written by 20/20health and commissioned by Smart Energy GB, examines how the technology could allow vulnerable and elderly people to stay in their own homes longer.
Entitled ‘Smart Future of Healthcare’ the publication suggests how, for example, smart meters could be used to notify the families and carers of elderly or vulnerable people (e.g. those with dementia), if they hadn’t boiled the kettle for a few days or were watching TV in the middle of the night. With the full consent of all concerned this could be a useful tool to allow people to remain independently in their homes and could also help reduce capacity constraints on the NHS.
Other uses of the technology, the report says, could include helping to identify households in fuel poverty by analysing smart meter data alongside weather data, for example, or by seeing if the bills they are paying are excessively high for their type of dwelling. In-depth coverage is also given of the need to ensure that all of these technologies are only introduced with the appropriate consent of all parties involved, and that the security of households’ data is paramount.
Several SERL research programme projects are featured in the document as examples of the research already being done in the area. SERL Director, Elam, also participated in the steering group and workshops that were held as part of the production of the report.
“This new report highlights that smart meters can contribute a broad range of public benefit, in healthcare as well as our energy system,” said Elam, “and highlights the importance of smart meter data in carrying out all kinds of research that can potentially improve people’s quality of life”.
To learn more and download the report see 20/20Health
See also Smart Energy GB to watch a video of Arlene Phillips discussing Smart meters and Healthcare