70% (18,000) of all CQC registered care provider locations have an up-to-date Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) in place – up from just 15% before Better Security, Better Care started in 2021. And almost 9 out of 10 providers are registered on the toolkit.
Our impact report, published in May 2024, highlights the difference we are making – well beyond basic compliance with the DSPT.
Despite launching during the Covid pandemic which had a tremendous strain on the care sector, our programme has managed to reach and engage record numbers of care providers.
Almost five times more care providers are now using the DSPT to help them to keep information safe. In fact, the increase in the use of the DSPT by care providers is faster than any other sector – including GPs, dentists and large NHS Trusts. And we are by far the largest sector.
The programme is central to government policy. For example, in the adult social care reform white paper – People at the Heart of Care – the government commits to building on Better Security, Better Care to broaden support on data and cyber security.
Our programme is unique. We work at national, regional and local levels, to engage and support care providers across all sectors. And like all Digital Care Hub work, it is delivered by social care providers, for social care providers.
Local and regional collaboration is central to our model. Our 28 local support organisations work closely with local authorities, integrated care boards and integrated care partnerships to ensure that data protection is considered in planning, supporting and commissioning health and care services. Most of our local support organisations are care provider trade associations. We are developing the data and cyber security skills and capacity of existing support networks: maximising the support networks that care providers are already using.
Between 2021 and May 2024, we have delivered 2,200 webinars, 10,000 hours of one-to-one support and 14,000 hours of helpline support.
