Tier 3 Teleheath
NHS Supported Remote Monitoring
Click here to be directed to the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Technology-Enabled Care service
What is Tier 3?
Tier 3 uses clinical-grade devices in your home that send readings straight to NHS teams. Think of it as a "virtual clinic": you check your blood pressure, oxygen level or symptoms, and the result appears on a nurse's screen within seconds. NHS Ayrshire & Arran runs the programme locally as part of Scotland's Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) work .
Who is it for?
Older adults who:
- have long-term conditions such as high blood pressure, COPD, heart failure or diabetes
- want fewer routine clinic trips but still need regular monitoring
- can use (or be shown how to use) a cuff, pulse oximeter or simple questionnaire on a phone, tablet, text message or automated call
The Connect Me platform lets you choose the method that suits you best (app, SMS or phone) .
How does it work?
- Clinical referral - your GP, practice nurse or hospital team registers you.
- Free kit - the NHS loans you an approved device (e.g. Bluetooth BP cuff).
- Easy prompts - Connect Me reminds you when to take a reading.
- Automatic review - if a result is outside your safe range, a clinician is alerted and will call or adjust your treatment.
Patients say it's "as simple as sending a text", and clinicians report that it cuts face-to-face appointments and catches problems earlier .
Benefits you'll notice
Your day-to-day | Behind the scenes |
Fewer trips to the surgery or hospital | Readings feed the GP record automatically |
See trends and learn what affects your health | Alerts flag issues before they get serious |
No "white-coat" effect - readings taken in your own home | Saves NHS time - ~400 000 GP slots freed up so far in Scotland |
National data show remote BP monitoring has already reached 100,000 Scots and is expanding to other conditions .
What equipment might I get?
- Blood-pressure cuff - automatic, upper-arm; readings via app/SMS
- Pulse oximeter - clips on finger to check oxygen (common in COPD)
- Scales & symptom questionnaires - used for heart-failure weight change
- Digital diary - short questions about breathlessness, pain or mood
All devices are clinically validated and come with easy-read instructions.
Is it difficult to use?
No. Connect Me was designed with older adults in mind:
- large on-screen buttons & plain English prompts
- voice call option if you don't have a smartphone
- helpline number in every reminder message for quick support
Users rate the system 99 % "easy to use" in national feedback .
Ready to find out more?
- Go to the NHS Ayrshire & Arran TEC page
- Speak to your GP or practice nurse about a referral.
