March 26th 2025
When the Reece White, Registered Manager of Elizabeth Court took on his role in 2013, he recognised the benefits tech innovation could have when it came to improving care and streamlining processes in social care. He has spent the past decade working to implement technology that enhances the quality of care, improves efficiency, and ensures compliance. However, the journey has been far from straightforward, with significant challenges in infrastructure, cost, training, and integration with NHS services.
Building a strong foundation
Set in a 500-year-old building, Reece and his team faced infrastructure issues. Thick walls and irregularly shaped rooms created multiple signal black spots, making it difficult for the team to access digital systems and standard Wi-Fi extenders also failed to improve the connection. They started working with a maintenance specialist and resolved it by installing wired access points throughout the home.
Introducing a DSCR
The initial shift from paper to digital records was a big one, particularly for long term staff who were used to their traditional systems and naturally there was some resistance around navigating a new system. To ease the transition, Reece introduced Log my Care gradually, allowing staff to familiarise themselves with the system at their own pace. Having trialled different digital record systems in the past, they were attracted to its ability to adapt to the individual needs due of their service, particularly as the system was also modular, which allowed them to invest in the features that suited their needs without unnecessary additional costs.
They held hands-on training sessions where senior staff championed the system and offered one-to-one support to the rest of the team. Over time, as Log my Care became part of daily operations, the team noticed improved some positive changed as Reece shares. “The simplicity of the system meant we could log care quickly and reduce paperwork.”
Staff could easily document care, track resident needs, and ensure compliance, leading to more efficient and personalised care delivery. The team were able to improve record-keeping, governance, and oversight.
Integrating Care with Health
A key priority for Elizabeth Court has been improving access to NHS records, as Reece shares “historically, care homes have had very limited visibility into a resident’s medical history, making it difficult to provide truly person-centred care.”
To address this, Reece became involved in local care association initiatives focused on digital integration, leading to participation in projects aimed at connecting care homes with NHS data. Through this initiative, the home gained access Plexus a system that provided medical information, including medication history, consultation records, and treatment plans.
While this was a significant step forward, information from community-based healthcare professionals, such as district nurses and physiotherapists, were still difficult to access. Elizabeth Court still had to rely on its own records, as external records were not always available or shared consistently.
Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
Reece’s journey with Elizabeth Court highlights the challenges many face at the start of their digital transformation. A key lesson from his experience is that people who draw on care must remain at the heart of any change, digital systems should support better care, not hinder it. His commitment to using technology mindfully earned him the East Sussex Partners in Care Innovation in Care award last year, a testament to his dedication to use technology to enhance care, taking what works and leaving what doesn’t. Reece encourages providers to seek adaptable systems that enhance care delivery and to make use of pilot schemes to find the best fit for their services.
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