Digital helping to improve care services across Dorset

Dozens of care providers across Dorset are providing even more effective services for their residents after embracing digital technology.

They have received funding from the national Digitising Social Care programme (DiSC) to digitise social care records, receive digital training and install acoustic monitors to enhance residents' safety.

And funding was also used to help create the region’s first network of digital champions in the care sector.

Across the Dorset Council and BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) Council areas there are now 36 digital champions in care homes.

One care home to take advantage of all the digital funding opportunities was Culliford House in Dorchester.

Jeanette A’Court, Quality Manager at Culliford House, said: “We are so grateful for the funding we have received to make us a more digital organisation.

“Instead of filling in reams of paperwork, we now have a digital record system that enables our staff to fill in reports on the spot via special handsets. This frees up more time for our staff to spend with patients.

“The data we collect is also used to improve the personal care each resident receives.

“One of our staff members has also gone through the digital champion training offered by Dorset Council and this has been invaluable. It means we have a mentor on site who can help other staff members embrace digital technologies.”

Another huge benefit for Culliford House has been signing up to a new acoustic monitoring system.

This specialist equipment discreetly monitors residents' nighttime sleep patterns and generates alerts if it detects any unusual sounds. By tracking deviations from regular noise patterns, it helps ensure the safety and well-being of residents during the night.

Jeanette explained: “Usually we will go to a resident’s room every hour throughout the night, but the benefit of this system is it alerts us immediately and we can respond at once.

“Going digital not only makes us more efficient but it is also a powerful tool in safeguarding our residents.”

Altogether, 67 adult social care providers in Dorset have benefitted in some way from the national investment in improving their digital offering.

Care providers were offered up to £4,000 match funding for digital care records and up to £10,000 for acoustic monitoring.

A £32,000 UK Shared Prosperity grant was also used to fund care staff attending Dorset Council’s embedded digital champion training scheme.

That training was supported by Partners in Care to ensure it was tailored for staff who work in the care sector.

Cllr Steve Robinson, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, said: “We are incredibly grateful that this national investment is helping care providers across Dorset to embrace digital and future proof their services.

“Dorset Council has helped to lead and support this roll-out of digital in the care sector on behalf of the Dorset Integrated Care System, which represents the whole county.

“It’s been a win-win for the providers that have grasped these opportunities and the residents and families they serve.”