Technology in Social Care – a Luxury or a Necessity?
Key Contact: Jenny Wilde
It has been a tumultuous time for the CQC, with the resignation of its CEO and severe criticism of its provision by the new Government.
We wait to see what will happen to the Single Assessment Framework as the regulator recalibrates. But one thing is certain to remain, and that is the role of technology in both inspection and service delivery.
The pressure to “go digital”
Health and social care providers will now have discovered that the CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework is more “arm’s length” than they might be used to and largely conducted through a Provider Portal where documents will be uploaded and assessed (with or without an accompanying onsite visit).
This change in approach will drive the need for providers of social care services to “go digital” if they want to maximise the way that the regulator reviews their evidence of compliance. As has been widely reported, the previous Government’s aim was for 80% of CQC registered providers to keep digital social care records by March 2024. As yet, there is no indication as to whether that target was reached.
Many providers have already embraced these changes and are fully engaged with digitalisation. However, those with smaller services and less money to spend may struggle. Providers are best advised to seek assistance with digitalisation and engage with the many free resources out there.
Whilst there is no law change around the continued use of paper records, it is clear that the CQC may take issue with their continued use and reflect this in any inspection findings. If that does happen, providers would be encouraged to challenge any adverse findings on the basis that there is no legal requirement to “go digital”.
However, paper records must be accessible enough to be sent through a portal for CQC review. Failure to be able to easily provide documents electronically means that providers risk not being able to fully reflect their service during a remote inspection. Excessive sorting and scanning of paper documentation is likely to consume considerable staff resource.
In addition to the basics of document presentation to the regulator, providers should keep abreast of all advancements in technology, particularly around wearables and other monitoring devices, as well as AI development, which could assist with analysis and assessment of risk.
In short, it is important that the sector moves at the same pace as the growth of technology – but this will clearly require serious investment of funds and time. My prediction is that many will want to embrace the development of technology but those struggling with funding or ongoing compliance issues may struggle to do so. The new Labour government needs to focus resource on helping all providers to make this step as there will be inevitably positive impact on the NHS (as more people will be more effectively cared for within care home and domiciliary care settings).
Ultimately, in order to deliver (what the CQC might consider to be) “Outstanding” care, a provider has to demonstrate innovation. In modern care provision, such innovation is highly likely to centre around digital process and an embracing of advancements in technology that offer better outcomes to both service users and staff.
Whilst budget may be a serious constraint on this progress, providers must consider what they can manage in terms of moving with the times and, where there is difficulty, assert in challenges to local authorities for an increase in fees on the basis of a need to keep up with an ever-evolving sector.
