Digitally enabled community care is a crucial aspect of modern healthcare, with the potential to greatly improve the quality of care provided to individuals in their own homes. However, according to a report by the King’s Fund, this potential is being hindered by a lack of investment and siloed approaches to technology implementation. The report highlights the need for significant improvements to infrastructure and the use of basic technologies in order to integrate technology and new skills effectively into community care services.
In his 2023 plan for the NHS, Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized Labour’s vision of transforming the NHS into a “Neighbourhood Health Service”, focusing on early treatment in the community. The King’s Fund report echoes this sentiment, stating that digital technology could help realize the long-held ambition of moving care closer to home. However, it also points out that community providers struggle to access funding for innovation and digital transformation, leading to a disjointed approach to care services.
The report emphasizes the importance of investing in digitally enabled care in the community, as low levels of investment and siloed approaches are currently limiting its potential. While there are examples of successful implementation of technologies in community care, these need to become the norm rather than the exception. The King’s Fund spoke to patients and staff who expressed frustration with the current state of community care, citing safety risks and unnecessary harm caused by the continued reliance on outdated communication methods such as letters.
One of the key issues highlighted in the report is the lack of interoperability between health and social care organizations, leading to fragmented care and frustration among patients. While some integrated care systems are attempting to improve interoperability by linking electronic records, the silos in place often impede the transformational potential of technology and data. The report also notes that the design of technology often overlooks the specific requirements of community care, leading to challenges such as homecare workers being ill-equipped to support patients on virtual wards.
To address these challenges, the King’s Fund calls on the Department of Health and Social Care to create a vision that prioritizes digital independence and dignity in community care, with a focus on local flexibility and compatibility of digital tools. The report also advocates for increased funding and support for innovation, as well as joined-up procurement to ensure that digital tools are effectively integrated into community care services.
In conclusion, digitally enabled community care has the potential to revolutionize the way care is delivered to individuals in their own homes. However, in order to fully realize this potential, it is essential to address the current lack of investment and siloed approaches to technology implementation. By prioritizing digital independence, dignity, and compatibility in community care, we can ensure that technology enhances the quality of care provided to individuals in the community.