Telecare services are now increasingly well established in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Whilst of immense value to their users they are, however, generally based on models that relate to social needs. Technological developments (and the need to increasingly address clinical agendas) in the arena of telehealth pose new challenges. Important questions, therefore, arise regarding the extent to which (and the way in which) telecare services might evolve in order to respond to some clinical needs as well as those that relate to people's broader 'well-being'. 

The understanding of telehealth adopted in this presentation is much wider that that which is concerned with vital signs monitoring. Telehealth embraces a range of devices for
(a) monitoring and the promotion of well-being - including vital signs monitors and telephone / videophone mediated support;
(b) response and event recognition - including social alarms, falls and seizure detectors; and
(c) devices to help with the management of medications - including pageing and pill dispensers.

Taking account of this context, this paper sets out issues for the development of a Code of Practice for Telehealth Services that would complement the established TSA Code of Practice for Telecare Services. Such a Code would, it is argued, crucially help to put in place rigorous safeguards for the growing range of vulnerable people (increasingly also patients) who are served, supported and empowered through the use of telehealth technologies and the associated services.