Countdown to Digital: Digital Telecare - Unlocking Value with the Telecare Benefits Framework
As we continue our monthly countdown to the digital telecare transition, it’s important to not only focus on how we get there, but why it matters.
This month, we’re spotlighting the Telecare Benefits Framework, a powerful tool that helps organisations understand, measure, and demonstrate the real value of telecare services across Scotland.
Why a Benefits Framework Matters
Telecare already plays a vital role in supporting people to live safely and independently at home. However, historically, the full impact of these services has been difficult to quantify due to inconsistent approaches to measuring outcomes.
The Telecare Benefits Framework addresses this by providing a structured, evidence-based approach to identifying and measuring benefits, helping partners build a stronger case for investment, transformation, and service improvement.
At a time when we are transitioning from analogue to digital telecare ahead of the PSTN switch-off, having a clear understanding of value is more important than ever.
A Framework Built Around Real Impact
The framework captures benefits across four key areas:
- Service users – improved wellbeing, independence, and safety
- Health and care services – reduced demand and improved efficiency
- Public services – better use of resources and reduced costs
- Society – wider economic and environmental benefits
Telecare activities link directly to measurable outcomes, ensuring that benefits are aligned with local and national priorities.
What the Evidence Shows
The framework brings together data from across Scotland and beyond to demonstrate tangible impact. As at December 2025, key findings included:
Improved outcomes for people
- +28% improvement in service user wellbeing, supporting independence and confidence at home
- Telecare can delay admission to long-term care by over a year, improving quality of life and reducing system pressures
Reduced pressure on frontline services
- 870 fewer ambulance callouts per year for a typical service provider
- 1,315 fewer emergency bed days annually, helping ease pressure on hospitals
Increased efficiency and cost savings
- 6% reduction in ARC tariff costs through shared, collaborative delivery models
- 20% reduction in time spent on administrative tasks through digital tools like responder apps
- 5% improvement in call-handling KPIs enabled by flexible, cloud-based working
Together, these benefits show how digital telecare is not just a technological upgrade, it is a transformational opportunity for the entire health and social care system.
Supporting the Digital Transition
The move to digital telecare is essential to ensure services remain safe, resilient, and future-ready for the people who rely on them across Scotland.
The Benefits Framework plays a key role in this transition by:
- Helping organisations evidence the value of moving to digital
- Supporting business cases and investment decisions
- Embedding a consistent, standardised approach to measuring outcomes
- Ensuring benefits are considered from the start of projects, not just at the end
Looking Ahead
While many benefits are already measurable, the framework also highlights future opportunities, such as reduced demand on home care, faster hospital discharge, and environmental impacts, which will become clearer as digital adoption increases.
As data improves, so too will our ability to demonstrate the full value of Technology Enabled Care.
Get Involved
As we approach the digital switchover, now is the time to:
- Explore how the Telecare Benefits Framework can support your organisation
- Use it to strengthen your local business cases and service design
- Embed benefits realisation into your digital telecare plans
Visit the Digital Telecare Playbook to access tools, guidance, and resources to support your transition.
PLAY154 – Telecare Benefits Framework
Digital telecare isn’t just about making the switch, it’s about delivering better outcomes, smarter services, and stronger evidence of impact.
