How can social care further embrace technology in 2024?
The Secretary of State identified four goals of reform with which technology could be equipped to assist: prevent people’s health and social care needs from escalating; personalise health and social care and reduce health disparities; improve the experience and impact of people providing services; and transform performance.
So, almost two years on, what progress has there been in this era of digital transformation? How are you using technology in your setting to help people drawing on care and support?
Looking back
In the summer of 2022, the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, laid out in A Plan for Digital Health and Social Care an intention to ‘use the power of technology and the skills, leadership and culture that underpins it, to drive a new era of digital transformation’.
The Secretary of State identified four goals of reform with which technology could be equipped to assist: prevent people’s health and social care needs from escalating; personalise health and social care and reduce health disparities; improve the experience and impact of people providing services; and transform performance.
So, almost two years on, what progress has there been in this era of digital transformation? How are you using technology in your setting to help people drawing on care and support?
Key developments
One technological development in social care is artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Physical assistance robots can support people with tasks such as feeding themselves or being transported from room to room. Socially assisted robots, such as ‘Pepper’, who was introduced in the UK in 2016, support the activities of daily living and are designed to improve the overall wellbeing of users.
Then there are cognitive assistance robots, with the potential to support people with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments. One such example is the AI-driven BrightSign, which supports individuals with speech and hearing impairments.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), in a webinar about the helping hand of technology, described how ‘simple, effective technology can foster both inclusivity and effective communication’, while an open access paper published in The Lancet in 2022 found ‘promising results’ from AI being used in care but called for further research into the technology and its benefits.
Other devices available to the care sector include: a credit-card-sized device to capture a near-medical grade echo cardiograph (ECG) in 30 seconds that works via an app; digital records systems to promote joined-up healthcare; technology integrated health management, which uses AI to remotely monitor the health of people who have dementia while living at home; and digital care assistants, which monitor an individual’s movement, pulse and respiration at home.
Provider engagement
Ipsos MORI and the Institute of Public Care on behalf of NHSX, partnered with Skills for Care, found that 85% of care providers reported better quality of care using support and monitoring technology, while 83% saw improved health and wellbeing outcomes. There were budget pressures identified by 56% of care providers, however, and only 44% were looking to adopt support and monitoring technology in the future.
For those wanting to explore the options further, the Digital Care Hub (formerly Digital Social Care) offers free advice and support on using technology in care settings and is comprised of key care leaders such as Care England and the National Care Forum (NCF).
There is still some way to go before all care providers fully embrace technology but, with new innovations arriving on the market at a growing pace, the full impact of technology on the care sector and the people it supports remains to be seen.
The social care landscape is rapidly changing; technology and digital solutions are becoming increasingly important. Investments in making systems more standardised, interoperable, and accessible to care providers are getting a lot of attention. While Government-led efforts are improving how care works, it’s vital to remember the human side of the equation. In the past, new technology was seen as cutting-edge, but now it’s just a normal part of life. Whether it’s ordering groceries online, tracking fitness activities or checking train schedules, technology is seamlessly integrated into our daily routines. But the real power of technology lies in its ability to make big changes, especially in addressing important challenges in the care sector. There are many opportunities to improve the experiences of care teams, the people they help, and the wider community involved in caregiving. It’s important to remember that while technology often gets the spotlight, creating meaningful change depends on engaging and empowering people. For providers to make meaningful changes, two things are crucial: There are several national initiatives across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland aimed at boosting confidence in digital technology and promoting interoperability. One standout initiative is the Minimum Operational Dataset (MODS), which ensures that data collected for direct care is consistent. Although MODS is very technology-focused, its main goals are about improving care quality, making data entry easier, and sharing best practices. To learn more about MODS, visit the Digital Social Care website. By using technology with a clear purpose that prioritises people’s needs, the care sector can successfully adapt to digital changes, making sure that technology enhances care instead of overshadowing the human aspect. Duncan Campbell, Director, everyLIFE Technologies. Email: [email protected] Embracing technology in social care can improve efficiency, quality of care and overall outcomes for individuals receiving support. NHS England reports that approximately 30% of social care providers are partially digitised, with a further 30% still using entirely paper-based systems, so, what can be done to advance the embrace of technology in social care? Although good progress has been made to date, there is still plenty of scope for a greater focus on advancing the rollout of technology in social care. Whilst welcoming developments to date, we believe there is still room for improvement with regards to the Government’s prioritisation of investment in technology infrastructure, digital skills training for staff and incentives for providers to adopt innovative solutions within the sector. Several barriers prevent providers from fully embracing technology, including but not limited to cost, digital skill variation among staff, concerns about data security and privacy and resistance to change. To remove these barriers, there needs to be greater financial support for investment in technology, comprehensive training programs for staff, robust data protection measures and a cultural shift towards embracing innovation. Care providers can take several initial steps to integrate technology into their operations. These steps involve assessing their current operations infrastructure, pinpointing areas for enhancement, investing in user-friendly digital systems to outdated paper-based methods and offering continuous training and support to staff to ensure their proficiency with technology. Prioritising the procurement process when investing in new technology increases the likelihood that the implemented systems will align with the organisation’s requirements, exhibit higher quality, entail lower risks, and foster better staff engagement. By addressing these priorities, overcoming barriers, taking proactive steps and investing time during the procurement process, social care providers can further embrace technology in 2024 to enhance the quality and efficiency of care delivery. Abi Bowler-Ropinski, Marketing Manager, Blue Stream Academy. Email: [email protected] In your experience, has technology helped people drawing on care and support? If so, how and in what capacity? Leave a comment on this article or join the conversation to share your thoughts.