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Technology in home care – useful resources
Considering new technology for your home care organisation? Unique IQ has compiled a list of useful resources to help you decide which type of technology is right for your care provision.
These websites can help to understand the jargon, review the software on the market, assist with choosing the right product and bring the latest trends and news into one place.
CASPA – an independent association of software providers with technology that is specifically tailored to the care sector. Its website has some interesting resources particularly useful for home care agencies looking to switch to digital in the future, or for those who are thinking of changing their care management software provider.
The white paper ‘Guidance and Best Practice for Adoption of Electronic Care Management Systems’ is aimed at those who are new to the home care industry or are still using paper-based systems. Providing step-by-step guidance from start to finish, the whitepaper offers a clear understanding of the benefits of eMAR, and how easy it can be to digitalise a care management system.
TSA Group – the TSA is the industry body for technology-enabled care (TEC) services. Representing over 350 organisations it works on behalf of organisations across the health and social care sectors, including the private sector, Government and charities. The website has free resources such as good practice guides, case studies successes and training available to enhance knowledge of technology within care.
By becoming a strategic member of the TSA Group, home care agencies will have a key role in the growth of the sector, working in collaboration with the TSA and supply partners. Members also gain access to webinars, information, campaigns and events based on the growth of the technology-enabled care industry.
CQC – the care industry regulator’s series exploring the use of technology in care. It looks at the benefits and shares examples of where inspectors have seen it used well. See also: Using technology to meet CQC standards – an overview of CQC guidance on using technology in domiciliary care.
Download our free guide to outstanding home care
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how our care management software will support your home care organisation in meeting the CQC’s five key questions, along with an in-depth analysis of the newly announced quality statements.
Homecare Association– a list of commercial software providers to the UK home care sector.
Skills for Care – a guide for social care leaders on getting their organisations digital-ready. Includes a digital capacity assessment and information on the GDPR and data sharing.
Digital Social Care – the Digital Social Care website is a website dedicated to providing advice and support to the health and social care sector on the topic of technology. Partnered with a variety of other health and social care organisations, such as Skills for Care, the Digital Social Care website covers all aspects of digital technology within care. The website is broken down into easy-to-follow categories, such as cyber security or choosing software. It also provides resources such as templates for continuity plans, 3rd party contract guidance and the best practices for adopting digital technology.
National Care Forum – the membership organisation for not-for-profit organisations in the care and support sector has produced a series of crib sheets to help care providers make the most of technology. Topics include basic technology skills, getting connected and well-being and resilience.
NHSX – NHSX is a joint unit bringing together teams from the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement with the drive to bring a digital transformation of care. Alongside the latest news and future tech plans, the website encourages those within the health and social care sectors to voice opinions on its current digital maturity and which areas need improvement.
NHS Data Security & Protection Toolkit – the NHS Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is an online, annual data security self-assessment. Completed free of charge, the assessment allows home care organisations to measure their performance against the National Data Guardian’s 10 data security standards. The assessment must be completed by any organisation that has access to NHS patient data. The toolkit provides assurance that the home care agency is practising good data security and that personal information is handled correctly.
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – collecting personal data from clients is a necessary requirement to ensure you are providing the best level of care service. The storage, accessing and management of this personal data is extremely important and must be handled with the strictest confidence and utmost care of all staff within the home care agency.
To help understand what data is required, how to store it and what rights a client has to the data you hold, the ICO website contains easy-to-understand guides, FAQs and news about changes to data protection.
Kings Fund – research and publications on the topic of technology and data in home care
More resources
Looking for more guidance? Here are some helpful blogs which may help you work out which is the right technology for you.
How technology can help answer the CQC’s 5 key lines of enquiry – ways in which software can help you prepare for a CQC inspection and ensure your home care service is safe, effective, responsive, caring and well-led.
eMAR FAQs – common questions about implementing an electronic medication administration system (eMAR)
Understanding how data security affects home care – frequently asked questions about data security in home care software.
Supporting home care through technology – five ways software like ours is helping home care providers deliver better care to the people that need it
Making software an easy choice – ways in which Unique IQ takes the pressure off the decision to introduce new software to your home care business.
It’s not about software, it’s about care – why the people being cared for should always be the focus of any decision a care provider makes around technology.
The future of home care technology – our vision for technology’s use in home care.
Want to know more about technology and the CQC? Check out our new CQC hub.
Unique IQ creates innovative, award-winning, technology for home care organisations – find out more.
