Assistive Technology
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Workstream:
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Health & Well Being - Adult Services
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Title:
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Assistive Technology Development
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Scope:
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Regional
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Funds awarded:
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£90,000 RIEP & £138000 CSED
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| Documents / web links: |
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Lead contact:
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Adrienne Lucas - Adrienne.Lucas@northyorks.gov.uk
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Background:
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The “Putting People First” (PPF) protocol guides the ongoing transformation of adult social care (ASC) so that all adults may live independently. A key element of that new personalised ASC system was to be authentic partnership working with the local NHS, other statutory agencies, third and private sector providers, users and carers and the wider community.
One of the objectives of this system-wide transformation was:
“Person centred planning and self directed support to become main stream and define individually tailored support packages. Telecare to be viewed as integral not marginal”
Despite some authorities taking considerable steps towards providing such services the position across the region is patchy in coverage and range, poorly documented and fails currently to both maximise the benefits to accrue from regional collaboration on what works and best practice. Not only are there major benefits to be achieved from harnessing the widest use of Assistive Technology (incorporating both Telecare and the NHS focused Telehealth services), in peoples homes, but also its use in enabling other key prevention and intervention initiatives, such as Re-ablement; Crisis (Rapid) Response and Support Related Housing.
Assistive Technology
There is a wide range of products and technologies that fit under the heading of Assistive Technology defined here as “any product or service designed to enable independence for disabled and older people” (King’s Fund, 2001) and includes Telecare and Telehealth - both of which offer a range of low to high level technologies spanning the health and social care spectrum. Equally important is how Assistive Technology is utilised in care and support pathway planning to benefit people supported by adult social care and health services, increasing efficiencies and optimising spend in both budgets. There are a wider range of solutions available under the general heading of AT and many contribute to both the prevention/intervention priority agenda and the efficiency agenda.
The proposed investment for this programme will operate in the Early Intervention Assistive Technology work-stream and the Telecare service provision is closely linked to the Telehealth service provision for long terms conditions and to the reablement agenda.
It reflects the aspirations of People Matter and the region will know it has been successful when there is evidence of increased awareness or delivery of the efficiencies to be gained by the use of Telecare, and we are seeing action plans within Authorities based on the material produced by this project. Efficiencies in the region of 30% on the cost of care packages will be produced if other Authorities in the Region replicate best practice.
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Delivery:
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The regional role of Assistive Technology Development Manager - Yorkshire & Humber (Personalisation) will drive the success of this project and contribute to the successful delivery of the Yorkshire and Humber Commissioning & Personalisation Work Plan.
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| Outcomes: |
1. To quickly enhance learning and understanding of the best practice available in the region and nationally on the use of Assistive Technology services, with a specific priority towards Telecare activity Outcome: Enhanced tools, products and knowledge on Telecare/Assistive Technology available across the region by November 2009/the end of the current financial year.
2. To support the regional development of Telecare through the introduction of regional marketing initiatives that;
a. increase the number of adult service users with a low, moderate, substantial or critical social care need benefiting from Telecare.
b. substantially increase the number of service users able to benefit from Telecare as part of their support plan (Individual Budget)
Outcome: a) Evidence of service user numbers rising by at least 10% from the baseline across the region within the period of the project. b) A significant increase (+20%) in people accessing Telecare overall.
3.To maintain a region-wide approach to what is agreed best practice in relation to the planning and delivery of Assistive Technology, including Telecare & Telehealth services. To incorporate how best to maximize opportunities for AT to assist in the wider integration of initiatives being pursued as part of the Personalisation Agenda.
Outcome: Regular (3 monthly) updates for existing tools, products and knowledge on Assistive Technology available across the region.
4.To support the regional development of Assistive Technology in a manner that maximizes opportunity and creates synergy in respect of the current and future regional and national initiatives.
Outcome: Evidence of improved efficiencies in the cost of care packages across the region by March 2011.
5.To establish standardised information on activity levels in respect of incoming Telecare Alerts and response activity within the relevant call centres. This can then inform Service Users (Self Assessment) and Health & Social Care commissioners making decisions on future service provision.
Outcomes: 1) Standardised contract with ‘social care call centres; 2) An agreed common data reporting template;
3) Evidence of usage of common data sets across the region.
6.To target key focus areas for the development of integrated AT services (It is suggested these be Falls, Learning Disability and Dementia), which improve service user outcomes, at the same time as reducing organisational costs associated with; Residential & Nursing Home Admissions, Hospital Admissions and visits to A & E.
Outcome: 1) case studies of best practices across these areas by March 2011; 2) evidence by March 2011 from within the region of impact on organisational costs associated with; Residential & Nursing Home Admissions, Hospital Admissions and A & E visits.
7. To support the development of Telecare services as part of a fully integrated Re-ablement Home Care Service Model, making a positive contribution to the reduction or elimination of care hours associated with long term home care service provision.
Outcome: Evidence by March 2011 that Authorities are utilizing Telecare in conjunction with re-ablement services in the region thus maximizing benefits for users of these services and efficiencies for commissioning authorities.
8.To collaborate with NHS colleagues in the development and implementation of Assistive Technology services across the whole Health and Social Care system ensuring that people are maintained in their own community for various long term conditions were currently they would be dealt with through acute services.
Outcome: 1. Positive correlation between availability of AT services in the community and reductions in Emergency admissions to hospital.
2. NHS partners recognize the correlation between community based AT services which promote self care in relation to people’s long term conditions and improved patient outcomes in respect of health and well-being.
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