MASTERCLASS: The benefits of Digital Social Care Records
Date: Tuesday 16 July 2024
Location: Zoom
New name for Digital Social Care... Find out more 
The main parties have now launched their general election manifestos. Digital technology, data and AI feature in all of them to some extent, primarily in relation to the NHS and the wider public sector.
As the national body representing care providers’ interests in digital technology, Digital Care Hub is reiterating our call for the next government to accelerate and maintain the safe use of digital technology and data sharing in adult social care to support people to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Reflecting on the manifestos published so far, Michelle Corrigan, Director of Digital Care Hub said:
“It is good to see smart use of tech and data in the manifestos. Our call is to draw on the creativity, experience and expertise of people who use and deliver care and support services to develop tech and data systems. It requires investment of time, funding and support – but digital tech can deliver tangible, achievable benefits to the health and wellbeing of our citizens. Digital Care Hub offers the incoming government our support to bring together these partners and maximise the use of tech for good.”
Digital Care Hub has published its own manifesto for the digitisation of adult social care. It outlines 5 key priorities for action:
1. Put people at the centre of digital and data innovations
Create a sector-led innovation hub where tech and software developers can share and coproduce solutions with people drawing on care services, carers, care workers and care providers.
2. Strengthen the digital infrastructure
Support the social care sector to become digitally mature. This includes sustained funding for: purchasing, upgrading or transferring of tech and data systems; ongoing licences; expert support on choosing and using technology safely; training on how to make the most of tech and data – including care staff, managers and decision makers.
3. Support safe, appropriate data sharing
Co-design data standards with care providers and fund an implementation and support programme for the sector; enable role-based access to data; and reduce the data collection burden on social care providers by collecting data once and re-using it and by automating data collection as far as possible.
4. Reinforce data protection and cyber security
Deliver the implementation plan for the National Health and Social Care Cyber Security strategy; codesign an effective national cyber incident response plan with the care sector; and expand the national support programme (Better Security, Better Care) to all care and support organisations.
5. Develop the workforce’s digital skills
Incorporate digital and data skills training within an adult social care workforce strategy, develop and promote digital career opportunities within social care, and consider a digital workforce passport across health and social care.
Photo by James Newcombe on Unsplash
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