Government to provide 11,000 iPads to England’s care homes
- Categories: Digital Transformation
Joe Webber
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Winter support
Coronavirus has posed unique challenges to the key workers providing care and those individuals receiving it, with social isolation and loneliness being major issues. The Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) winter plan for adult social care, heavily emphasises the benefits of implementing technology into a care setting to help prevent and control infection outbreaks. For example, technology can:
- Help identify symptoms of conditions, including COVID-19 in staff, residents and visitors
- Provide access to online training and learning resources
- Support in reducing movement and interaction
- Increase efficiency and save time, providing residents and staff with a better care experience
- Substitute for paper and other stationery, decreasing cross-contamination
- Create a more stable and safer work and living environment, appealing to staff and residents
Subsequently, care providers have been asked to “consider how technical or digital solutions may help them to protect the people they support from COVID-19 and connect them to their loved ones”.
To aid care providers in England with having better access to online resources, setting up virtual NHS consultations, reducing unnecessary visits and keeping their residents connected to loved ones, the Government is giving away 11,000 iPad tablets worth £7.5 million. They come equipped a twelve-month support plan, and for care homes without strong Wi-Fi facilities, SIM cards that have built-in internet access.
Are you eligible?
A limited number of tablet devices unfortunately means there isn’t going to be enough for everyone. Care homes will need to meet the eligibility criteria to be able to apply for one, and devices will be prioritised to care homes based on information provided upon ordering.
To qualify for a free iPad, you will need to receive some or all your funding for residential care from the NHS or a local authority. You also must have less than one tablet per forty residents.
If you have less than forty residents, you could qualify for one iPad. If you have more than forty residents, you could get two iPads. Any tablets left over at the end will be distributed to those with the greatest need for more.
How to order
The deadline to submit the order form is 23rd October 2020. You’ll need your CQC location ID ready and will be asked to provide information to support your application. You can access the form and terms and conditions by clicking here.
Using CareDocs
Tablets can be used to access the CareDocs Cloud Portal, a feature exclusive to CareDocs Cloud subscribers. CareDocs Cloud Portal is a limited, online version of your main CareDocs system. Designed for providing point of care recording and viewing essential resident information on the go, it can assist with limiting unnecessary movement around the care home.
CareDocs Connect is another useful feature for CareDocs Cloud subscribers. With the consent of your residents, certain care updates can be shared remotely with loved ones through a secure online platform. Family and friends get peace of mind and can send text messages, photos and files back to the CareDocs system. GPs can monitor care and provide instructions remotely, protecting everyone involved.
Tablet usage can be tracked through our Management Portal, which is also home to other useful business tools, such as device settings and key performance indicator charts. To find out more about how CareDocs can help you manage the effects of COVID-19 in your home, please get in touch today and speak with a member of our Business Development team.
Telephone: 0330 056 3333
Email: salesgroup@caredocs.co.uk
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Joe Webber
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