New report exposed limited evidence of people using digital social care

A new report, released today, has found only a handful of councils, housing and care organisations are delivering digital care in homes to cut hospital admissions, speed up emergency response times and reduce long waits.

Despite recent evidence uncovering that using technology in social care helps to keep patients safe whilst reducing pressures on the NHS, a new report, published by the TEC Action Alliance, has found there are isolated examples of activity but little integration within the broader social care and health ecosystem.

Over the past five months, the TEC Action Alliance has gathered evidence from a range of people who receive care, along with frontline workers in the care sector and leaders in care, health, housing and local government.

Over 2,000 people were surveyed on their attitudes towards the use of technology enabled care (TEC) and focus groups were held with individuals who have lived experience.

The results show that digital social care services reduce ambulance trips to A&E by 68% and they help 85% of people remain at home if emergency calls are handled by TEC responder teams, they slash emergency response times down to 30 minutes and help to refer 40% of people to community services rather than formal social care – compared to 7% pre-pandemic.

However, although the survey results show people are interested in using technology within health and social care – 86% said they are likely or extremely likely to use it in the future – evidence also shows the potential is yet to be unleased.

Only 18% of respondents currently use telecare or telehealth services and half of these people use is less than once a week. Reasons for this include safety concerns, a lack of confidence and perceptions that digital care is expensive.

Following this, the report is calling on care commissioners and suppliers to listen carefully to what people want and co-produce their services and products with individuals to ensure there is enhanced focus on their personal needs.

Alyson Scurfield, CEO of TEC Services Association and Co-Chair of the TEC Action Alliance said: ‘At a time of immense pressure on the NHS and social care services, digital care services can put power in the hands of people, bringing them to self-manage their own health and live the life they want to lead.

‘We’ve found some pockets of good technology-enabled care but still no national adoption. To address this, we must understand how technology-enabled care can be better personalised and scaled.’

Image: TEC Action Alliance