Connecting through technology
Nestled in the busy streets of Pontcanna, at Stable’s welcoming office space, our first Innovation Day connected local authorities and providers with tech innovators PrediCaire. It was an exploration of their transformative AI-based care management tool and a very grounded conversation about the way technology can save money and improve outcomes.
As with any event during peak times, there are challenges with prioritising face-to-face meetings, let alone for something often seen as challenging as ‘innovation’.
However, on the day, I was reminded of how worthwhile and constructive it is to meet face-to-face and connect (ironically), about digital tools capable of transforming services. It was a perfect summary of the challenges facing the delivery of social care, how to go digital and stay focussed on the person at the same time. I’ll come on to that.
But first a big thank you to those that came. It was a rare opportunity to bring private providers (residential and tech) and local authorities together in a positive space to discuss what the future of good care looks like. The conversations were open, honest and challenging, but incredibly constructive, and I believe everyone present took something positive from the day.
The importance of innovation
Interestingly but perhaps unsurprisingly, the sense in the room was that private residential providers often have flexibility to adopt earlier and move faster where tech and innovation is concerned. Some providers talked about having three or four different tech systems that were similar to PredicAire and their pros and cons.
But even for care homes that have been digital for 10 years, the benefits of having one system that brings all that information together in one space were palpable. It was clear that systems like PredicAire aren’t the future, they are what’s needed right now.
For Local Authorities in particular, during intense budget pressures, ongoing staffing challenges and a whole host of winter pressures, you could say ‘now’ is not the right time. But maybe this is exactly the right time; after all cost saving measures that improve services and reduce strain on resources are exactly what is needed. The evidence base is there, the support is there, what is needed is brave leadership. This is not about spend, it’s about savings. It’s not about innovation as a buzz word – it’s about being better and doing more.
Putting the needs of the individual first
Adopting new tech can happen at the detriment to person-centred care. The balance of actually having to look up from a screen into someone’s eyes can be difficult.
However, Practice Solutions have been working to put the needs of the person front and centre in health and care since our inception 25 years ago. We can see that products like PredicAire are designed with that individual in mind. They save time and money, make information clearer and more accessible. Furthermore, when managed correctly, more time and focus can be spent on the individual, getting them what they need, when they need it.
To give as many people as possible a chance to attend, we are alternating in-person and online sessions, and running online events on Tuesday 6 March and Thursday 8 March. For more details and to register for our next Innovation Day event, just drop my colleague Louise@practicesolutions-ltd.co.uk a message.
Written by Lewis Gwyther
Assistant Director of Development and Delivery
