Government publish ‘Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care’

On Tuesday 4th April 2023 the government published ‘Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care’. This plan builds upon the 2021 ‘People at the Heart of Care’ white paper which detailed a series of policy commitments, including the aim to get 80% of CQC registered care services to adopt a digital social care record by March 2024. A digital social care record allows information to be shared securely and in real-time between care services and NHS colleagues.

The next steps to put People at the Heart of Care plan explains that so far nearly £50 million has been spent to support digitisation and ensure good data and cyber security practices across care services in England. Since the original white paper was released in 2021, compliance with the Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT) has increased from 39% to 58% of care services. There has also been an estimated 10% uptake in Digital Social Care Records.

Over the next 2 years the government has committed £100 million to:

• Increase adoption of digital social care records so that client information can be shared across services.
• Test and implement new technologies that improve the quality and outcomes of care.
• Support care services to improve digital skills, digital readiness, and cyber security to help grow the sector’s confidence.

2023/24 Funding

For 2023/24, funding will be available to support the adoption of digital social care records. Funding is allocated regionally and provider’s are encouraged to find out what is happening locally to support the adoption of digital social care records.

Funding is also available for care services to implement and evaluate a digital technology which will add to the evidence base of what works in adult social care. This funding will support the implementation of technology that contributes to one or more of the following outcomes:

• Increase care quality and safety (including safe discharge from hospital)
• Reduce avoidable admission/readmissions to hospital
• Increase support for people to live independently in their own home

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