Digitalising social care
Is your workforce ready?
Digitalising social care: is your workforce ready?
The digitalisation of the care sector is a rapidly growing phenomenon which presents an opportunity for social care providers to revolutionise the quality of care provided to service users. It is clear that for social care providers to be able to adopt and embrace such technologies effectively that they require a workforce that is willing and ready to implement the ‘digitalisation’ of social care.
What is the digitalisation of social care?
‘Digitalisation’ is the process of using new technologies to transform business operations. In a social care setting, this could mean adopting technologies to improve residents’ safety and experience, such as:
- telemedicine;
- wearables for remote vital-sign monitoring;
- sensors for remote monitoring; and
- virtual and augmented reality.
Why is this relevant now?
In 2019, the Topol Review was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The report stated that the use of new technology would be a growing phenomenon in the health and social care sector over the next 10 years and beyond. The Covid pandemic has since accelerated those expected changes and the acceptance of digitalisation across the social care sector and the Government made it clear in 2021 in the White Paper ‘People at the Heart of Care’ that digitalisation across social care is to be a priority, with a commitment to providing at least £150 million in funding to drive the greater adoption of technology and achieve widespread digitalisation across social care between 2021-2024.
The Topol report predicted a growth in the acceptance of wearable technology and discussed developments in technology such as augmented reality. While the former has been proven correct, the latter is still likely to appear futuristic. However, it is increasingly apparent that the future is now, and the digitalisation of the social care sector is on an upward trend. Recent examples of the social care sector embracing these changes include:
- Hartford Care have recently announced that they are implementing virtual reality therapies for residents in their care homes; and
- Airedale Digital Care Hub has led the provision of tele-consultations between care homes and clinicians 24/7.
It is clear that the use of innovative technology in a social care setting can significantly improve the quality and safety of care given to service users. Social care providers that are not yet adopting this technology should be aware that, if the trend continues, the social care landscape could change rapidly.
If this does take place and providers consider adopting these technologies, then one of the main factors affecting successful implementation is the workforce that will operate them. In such circumstances, we recommend considering:
- Will your culture be in position to embrace these technologies?
- Do you have the capacity and infrastructure to deliver time for training?
- Is your workforce trained to limit the risk to residents’ personal data and breaches of the Data Protection Act 2018, which implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
- How can you ensure that staff embrace these technological changes?
- Would staff consultation be an opportunity to engage your workforce towards supporting implementation?
- Are your employment policies and staff handbook up to date?
It appears significant technological change is inevitable within social care and navigation of this shift will require insight and support.
If you wish to discuss any of the themes above, then please contact one of our expert employment solicitors.
