Agenda item

Briefing Note of Mark Greenwood, Head of Business Systems and Continuous Improvement

Danny Roberts, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item

The Board considered a briefing note and presentation of Mark Greenwood, Head of Business Systems and Continuous Improvement which provided an update on the digital improvements underway across the Adult Social Care service. Information was also provided on the digital work that was being delivered, in collaboration with health partners, to support improvements in integration and efficiency across the Coventry and Warwickshire health and care system. Danny Roberts, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust, attended the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The briefing note indicated that Adult Social Care provided personal support that helped people to live their lives as independently as possible. Over the past two years the service had been seeking ways to improve the support provided through the implementation of digital improvements. These improvements had included:

·  The introduction of self-assessment tools and an information directory

Social Worker and Occupational Therapists appointment booking system

·  Digital customer feedback methods

·  Assistive technology opportunities including Brain in Hand and Just Checking

·  Enabling access to the adult social care case management system for NHS staff working at UHCW, this access which supports staff when making discharge decisions, improving efficiency and patient support

The latter is an example of the work underway across Coventry and Warwickshire to enhance patient support. As part of the Better Health, Better Care, Better Value programme partners from across health and social care were exploring ways to improve services through the introduction of digital innovations. This work was being overseen by the Digital Transformation Board, a group of practitioners and technology leads.

The work of the Digital Transformation Board included:

·  The introduction of Voice Recognition (VR) to support clinicians improve the time it takes to record case notes

·  Rollout of remote consultation technology to improve opportunities for patient and clinician interaction

·  Promotion of the wider use of the information sharing software, known as Docman

·  Development of a shared care record across Coventry and Warwickshire

The Board were informed that the shared care record would introduce a number of improvements that would support patient flow. This included interoperability of systems across organisations; increased opportunity for the public to access information held about them; and greater mobile flexibility for the workforce.

The Board noted that Adult Social Care was continuing to identify digital changes that would improve customer experiences and workforce efficiencies. Initiatives included: improvements to our customer front door by exploring the use of automation, self-service and enhanced connection with third sector agencies; the introduction of pre-paid cards; financial assessment self service; supported self-assessment and self-reviews; housing with care and primary care remote consultations; and voice recognition for social workers. Work was also commencing on looking at the opportunities to use digital applications to support the delivery of adult social care.

The presentation provided further information on these new initiatives.

Members raised a number of issues in response to the report and responses were provided, matters raised included:

·  The importance of staff having the right skills and confidence to be able to use the new technology including appropriate support

·  Future developments to help with care needs including the use of robots

·  The partnership working with the two local universities on new developments

·  Support for the development of a shared care record across Coventry and Warwickshire

·  Concerns about the marginalised groups in the city not having access to new technology or the necessary skills to be able to access new systems

·  Further information about the complexities of introducing shared records such as data protection.

RESOLVED that the progress on the use of technology to support Adult Social Care and the further developments planned be noted.