Council rolls out smart pill boxes to get patients home sooner

A ‘smart’ box that reminds people to take their medication on time and a mobile device with a fall sensor are among the technologies UK councils are using to help people leave hospital to recover at home faster and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Innovation Hub team and the adult social care team were looking for ways to improve health outcomes for patients while easing hospital discharge rates and reducing re-admissions.

A 16-month project to address this, backed by a £1 million (US$1.2 million) Innovate UK grant, has been described as “the first of its kind” and a blueprint that could be scaled across the UK.

When they are discharged from hospital, and fol...