Successful funding bid helps digital innovation in social care

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Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (BNSSG ICS) will receive more than half a million pounds worth of funding to help people living in care homes by using innovative digital technology.

A total of £679,000 has been awarded to BNSSG ICS from NHSX’s Digitising Social Care Fund, following a successful bid by North Somerset Council.

Cllr Mike Bell, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I’m delighted we’ve successfully bid for this funding as it will help us develop the work we’ve already been doing to use care technologies and improve outcomes for people living in care homes or who are receiving care.

“Digital transformation can really improve the quality and safety of care by using real time data integrated with the NHS to make sure people get the right care at the right time with the right professionals able to access the health and care information they need.”

Samuel Jeynes, Digital Transformation Project Manager for BNSSG Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “In line with the government’s adult social care vision to enable new technology to enhance social care, this funding will help us to implement technology-enabled care to improve peoples’ independence and reduce unplanned hospital admissions. We are also working with hospitals to incorporate digital technologies into the discharge process so that these devices can be used to monitor patients in their own homes after they leave hospital.”

The money will be used to install an acoustic monitoring system in care homes across the region, improve digital social care record keeping and trial new technology to help reduce the risks of people falling and unplanned hospital admissions.

Acoustic monitoring devices monitor and interpret sound. The device works out what is the normal sound for that person so it can detect and then raise the alarm if it senses unusual movement or a call for help.

Following a successful pilot in a North Somerset care home, the scheme will now be rolled out to around a dozen more care settings in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Several North Somerset care homes will be supported to adopt digital social care records so that residents’ information can be easily shared among organisations such as the NHS and North Somerset Council. Sharing of electronic care records supports hospital admissions and discharges from and to care homes.

The funding will also allow North Somerset Council to pilot the innovative WHZAN Blue Box and ARMED technologies in several care settings.

WHZAN Blue Box enables care staff to monitor a person’s blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels and, temperature. The information is recorded using a tablet and stored in a cloud. This scheme can now be developed so that the person’s data can be linked to their digital care record, ensuring seamless access for all health and social care professionals. 

ARMED is a monitoring system where wearable technology collects key data from the person wearing it. The system uses sophisticated predictive analysis to monitor this data, along with regular weigh ins and grip strength tests, to spot when someone’s health deteriorates and identify other risks to that person. This means it can help prevent falls and reduce the risk of that person having to go into hospital unexpectedly, helping people stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

In addition to trialling these new, innovative technologies, North Somerset Council also has a range of assistive technology for people to try at their Equipment and Demonstration Centre at the Motex Centre in Weston-super-Mare

The centre, on Winterstoke Road, is currently open by appointment and has a variety of equipment including larger pieces such as stairlifts and adjustable beds, and smaller gadgets which can help with day-to-day life. Call 01275 888 804 or email edc@n-somerset.gov.uk to make an appointment. You can also find out more at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/assistivetechnology