November 27th 2024
A new survey highlights a serious risk to the care sector, as providers feel forced to redirect expenditure away from digital developments in order to pay for increased workforce costs.
75% of care providers say they will “reduce or stop digital transformation projects” as a result of future financial pressures. The findings, published by national trade body the Care Provider Alliance, indicate that crucial investment plans – including tech developments – will be adversely affected when National Insurance Contributions for employers and living wage increases are introduced.
Speaking about the findings, Michelle Corrigan, Programme Director at Digital Care Hub, said:
“We understand the pressure that care providers, commissioners and indeed policy makers are under. If, however, this level of disinvestment is replicated across the sector, thousands of people using care will lose out on the benefits of digital tech and the improved data sharing and decision-making that it brings. Investing in digital systems saves resources in the longer term – and improves care. Digital Care Hub will continue to advocate for digitisation and monitor developments.
“This level of disinvestment risks wiping out the progress made in recent years by, for example, support from the Digitisting Social Care Fund which has helped many care providers to set up digital record systems for the first time.
“It is virtually impossible for care providers to operate in the modern world without digital record systems that integrate well with hospitals, social services, GPs, pharmacists and other care and health partners. It’s an essential business expense which must be built into funding calculations.
“Safe digital transformation is an essential element of the Government’s plans for improving health and social care. We are deeply concerned that the Autumn Budget plans will unintentionally make it impossible for care providers to continue their digital journey.”
Digital Care Hub wants to hear from care providers about their plans for digital transformation and potential changes and impact. Access the survey online.
Notes for editors
Over 5,000 adult social care providers have switched from paper to digital records using the Digitising Social Care Fund.
Benefits of digitisation include: improved integration and communication with staff and NHS partners leading to increased efficiency and accuracy; staff time saved (up to 1 hour per day per staff member); improved audit and risk management.
The Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care, published by Skills for Care, states that:
“Vital to the success of this Strategy is improving productivity by having modern working practices (digital solutions, assistive technology), innovation in service delivery to improve people’s lives and by having stronger NHS links (NHS Digital Academy, regional teams) for sustainability and integration.”
Skills for Care’s indicative returns for each £1 of investment on tech interventions suggest significant benefits for care providers, the NHS and people drawing on care and support.
| Technology (Investments £1) | Care provider return | NHS return | Quality adjusted life years* (Health and wellbeing outcomes for people translated into £) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistive technology | £4.21 | £4.10 | £4.87 | |
| Care management technology | £1.20 | 36p | £2.16 | |
| Digital social care records | £6.77 | n/a | n/a | |
| Telecare | £2.84 | n/a | n/a | |
| Workforce planning technology | £1.32 | n/a | n/a | |
| *Quality adjusted life years is the measure of the state of health of a person or group in which the benefits, in terms of length of life, are adjusted to reflect the quality of life. One quality-adjusted life year is equal to one year of life in perfect health. | ||||
Photo by Call Me Fred on Unsplash
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