Care technology
reasons for this restriction. As a result of these difficulties, in some
areas collaboration between health and care has accelerated, highlighting what can be done when collaborative approaches are integrated, and new intelligent technologies are adopted that focus on predictive and preventative care. Smart solutions and assistive
technology in care homes have helped to protect the safety of care home residents, especially where people are particularly frail or vulnerable to falls. The implementation of technology provides 24-hour reassurance and enables care service providers to deliver care safely and efficiently.
TECS innovation in practice Clinicians have benefited from technology, such as remote patient monitoring (RPM), providing holistic and real time patient insight, which delivers predictive and preventative care and minimises face-to-face care and the associated risk of cross infection. This allows stakeholders to monitor vulnerable individuals and treat them long before an emergency arises, not only reducing the pressure on our health and social care systems, as demand for specialist care diminishes, but also reducing costs for care providers and the public. Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and
Bolton CCG (clinical commissioning group) invested in remote patient monitoring, combined with multi- disciplinary teams, for 34 of the area’s care homes to protect residents, staff and clinicians during and beyond the Covid crisis. Where care staff have
concerns about the health of a resident, they can use a tablet to record their vital signs and help them to answer questions about their health and symptoms. The remote monitoring approach has
not only supported the Trust and CCG during the pandemic, but will also enable the provision of more proactive care over the longer term, as early intervention avoids the need for more complex care and improves outcomes, reducing pressure on primary and secondary care services. Care home residents have been at
a particularly high risk during Covid-19. The acceleration in collaborative action and investment in TECS have highlighted how quality care can be consistently delivered, even during a pandemic.
The importance of collaboration There is strong evidence of collaboration improving communication, saving time, reducing the duplication of effort, improving working relationships, and providing a better experience for people who use health and social care services. A collaborative approach requires sector leaders and professionals to come together to share their knowledge and ideas on how to care for the people who need it most. It is also important that collaboration includes communication with service users and carers, to identify where services could be improved and care delivery is successful. There is now an increasing acceptance
and perceived usefulness of the role of technology in the collaboration of service provision. Whether it is the use of virtual care platforms, remote monitoring solutions, communication tools, digital apps or sophisticated data platforms, services are entering a new phase of digital maturity. A health and care system fit for modern
society must have digital innovation at its core. The digitisation of care delivered by social care organisations and professionals offers incredible opportunities for the health and wellbeing of our population, and patient outcomes to be dramatically improved. Previously, data has often been locked
in silos, however the acceleration of new apps, wearables and other devices being deployed within social care settings is
December 2021 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 29
©Tunstall Healthcare
©Tunstall Healthcare
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