Of the thousands of care homes in the UK many still do not have access to the internet or have very poor connections. With the NHS’ Digital Transformation aims of 80% of CQC registered adult social care providers to have digital healthcare records implemented by March 2024, having strong and reliable internet is essential in achieving this.

Enhancing connections in care

Internet access provides better access to digital healthcare services which come with many benefits to both service users and carers. Not only this but access to digital healthcare helps to lower the cost of delivering services digitally, allowing for more appropriate use of services including primary and urgent care and improves service user adherence to medicines and treatments. Those who cannot access digital healthcare may miss out on the benefits and end up costing the UK’s healthcare system more, unless we engage those who don’t currently have access to digital health services. And providing internet access across the UK’s healthcare system is just the first step.

However, this cannot be achieved without the support of a strong, stable foundation of internet access for every care setting. Without internet, no digital care can be accessed, and care providers are forced to stick with traditional ways of care recording, which are known to increase administrative burdens on care workers, amongst other drawbacks.

To help support the adoption of digital healthcare, the NHS published their ‘What Good Looks Like’ (WGLL) programme which draws on local learning to build established good practice to provide clear guidance for health and care leaders to digitise, connect and transform services, safely and securely. With this, care providers are encouraged to transform and move into the digital world of care.

What benefits can fast, reliable internet offer for the future of healthcare

The upcoming changes facing the healthcare industry, especially when it comes to technology, need to be underpinned by a strong reliable connection to the internet. Without it, the way care is recorded and managed in the future will simply be impossible. Fast and reliable internet can bring many benefits to your care home but let’s take a look at what these are and how they will impact the future of healthcare.

Advanced care management

Access to the internet allows for software such as care recording systems, like CareDocs, to be used at the point of care. Not only does this provide advanced care management, but it also helps to reduce the amount of time spent on administration. This helps to streamline the process of care recording and allows more time to be spent with service users.

Record and share information seamlessly

The internet allows for faster and more accurate transfer of data between several devices. Care records can be easily and readily accessed by any carer at any time. Allowing for information to be recorded in real time can also help to keep service users safe whilst being proactive and responsive to changing needs and situations.

Enhanced person centred care

The internet alongside technology can help support carers to provide enhanced person centred care, resulting in more time spent with service users, enabling carers to tailor to a persons needs, preferences and activities. In turn this can support the mental health of service users, especially those who may be reliant upon family visits for any contact beyond those who reside in the home.

Find expert support for your care home

To learn more about our software and what it can do for your care home, get in touch with our friendly team on 0330 056 333 or email sales@caredocs.co.uk.