Wiltshire Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy 2023 to 2028
Co-production
How the views of people with dementia, their families and carers, the public and professionals have shaped this strategy, and how they will continue to guide and monitor the work we do.
This strategy has been developed through extensive co-production. Its vision, aims, and objective are informed by the views of a variety of stakeholders.
In Spring 2023, around 300 people took part in workshops, meetings, one to one discussion, and online surveys and polls. This engagement was commissioned by Wiltshire Council and led by Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living (WCIL), the feedback is summarised in their report entitled 'Technology Enabled Care Report Spring 2023', which can be found on their website: WCIL - Reports (wiltshirecil.org.uk) (opens new window).
Wiltshire Council has also been one of six 'test beds' for the Technology and an Ageing Population Inquiry (housinglin.org.uk) (opens new window), led by the the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN).
Opportunities to expand the use of Technology Enabled Care (TEC)
A range of stakeholders have provided their views and suggestions on the current position of technology within the Council and opportunities to enhance the TEC offer. Stakeholders included representatives from the voluntary and community sector, customers and carers, adult social care operational teams, Children's services, commissioners, Public Health, service providers, housing providers, Information Technology and Digital Transformation.
There is a strong appetite to innovate and to embed a wider range of solutions into care and support provision, especially for adults with learning disabilities and/or dementia.
The following are clear opportunities to expand the use of TEC.
Wearable smart technology:
- falls detection / prevention
- dehydration detection / prevention
- dedication prompting and adherence confirmation
Discharge to Assess bed monitoring:
- activity monitoring - Connected Care systems
- epilepsy episode detection / prevention
- applications to support and guide people with MH/LD/A
Prompting / routine-based apps:
- proactive welfare checking
- environmental
- control systems
- applications to support and guide people with MH/LD/A
Direct stakeholder quotations from co-production and engagement
GPS wearable technology undoubtedly saves lives - it was vital when helping to find one of our residents who had wandered, fallen and was stranded overnight.
- Mental Health Team.
We provide a lot of sleep-in support just in case, but a TEC and support model approach could be so much better.
- Learning Disability South Team.
I would prefer to stay in my home with carers and the help of technology.
- Individual response within WCIL TEC report.
Activity Monitoring TEC in Wiltshire has historically relied on practitioners analysing the data themselves - clear dashboards enable us to assess and make the right decision for everyone, it is brilliant evidence for the Care Act assessment.
- Ongoing Support Team (West).
It's made me realise that I need to get my backside into gear to get these things in place. It's the little things like being able to turn the lights on and off by myself. Even the little things can make a big difference.
- Individual response within WCIL TEC report.
As a provider within the Local Authority, our budgets are different, we have to show return on investment for the TEC that we deploy
- In-House Learning Disability Services.
We get around 7,000 contacts every month and deal with 85% at first point of contact - there are cases where TEC would help people, but we can only signpost unless they have Care Act eligible needs.
- Advice and Contact Team.
With a bit of technology, some people will be enabled to stay in their own home and be independent. This will save money in the long run. The cost of the TEC will be less than paying for a residential home.
- Individual response within WCIL TEC report.
We are living in a digitally enabled world where technology is increasingly part of our society. We want technology to empower our children and young people supporting them to increase their independence, access activities alongside their peers in their local communities, and to reach their full potential. We will explore assistive technology solutions that can provide additional support for children and young people. For example, to transition to independent living and integration with their peers or to support families caring for children with additional needs in their own home.
- Children's and Young People Services Commissioning.