The budget statement included an additional £22.6 billion for day-day-spending for the Department of Health and Social Care, more than £2 billion capital investment in NHS technology and digital, and £520 million for a Life Science Innovative Manufacturing Fund.
All investment is welcome. The question for those of us operating in the technology enabled care sector is where the money will be spent. If there’s one takeaway from the recent past, it is that - without reform and supported culture change - no amount of money will be enough. It’s the model and environment that promotes opportunity for change.
We know some of the detail. In the pre-budget build-up, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged £1.5bn in capital investment for new surgical hubs, diagnostic scanners and beds across the NHS estate. There’s the also commitment to improving the digital infrastructure so that two million extra appointments are available and improving how services are commissioned.
This will keep acute care within our hospitals ticking over, bringing down waiting lists, increasing appointments and improving patient outcomes. What it won’t do yet, is deliver the person-centred model of integrated care that will make the most difference in reducing pressures on the NHS and the wider community health and social care system.
The key to success will be to keep people out of hospital, both pre- and post-admission in the first place or put the steps in place to enable clinicians to transition patients more quickly to community care settings. For reforms promising a switch to early intervention through a preventative model of care, we will have to wait until next year for the government to confirm its plans and start to deliver.
To meet the ambitions of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) seeking to implement digital transformation strategies, this must include investment in a true connected approach to technological solutions, and a more joined up, co-ordinated health, housing and social care system. This approach will start to put the community supported healthcare agenda back on track, enabling preventative care and allowing people to live independently for longer.
Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has already spoken of his focus being on shifting from analogue to digital and that is where companies like Everon UK can support though the cloud based, digital wireless solutions managing not only the significant risks to independent living such as falls, but continued assessment and activities of daily living at all stages of the patient journey. This approach supports a true connected approach and single portal of data trend and insight, to support decision making and continued improvements in services to the most vulnerable. We’re ready for the call. With digital switchover for all Assisted Living systems using analogue technology less than two years away, the deadline is looming fast.
We’re doing all we can at Everon UK to positively influence the health, housing and social care environment to be more proactive in their approach. Digital Cloud-based technology can play a key role in reducing health inequalities including keeping people safe when they transition from hospital to community settings – or support decisions to step in before their health deteriorates.
The Everon Ecosystem is a Cloud-based wireless, end-to-end digital solution managing daily risks through alarms and alerts for person-centred independent living, a true connected approach to data trend and insight which supports our preventative approach. A platform managing health and social care needs from one platform, no matter the person’s needs. The intelligent use of data is key to delivering a proactive model supported by the most appropriate interventions.
Our partnerships are already helping to prevent health, care and housing services from being overwhelmed. The data and insights that our solutions provide are leading to a more proactive service delivery. It’s the future of care that changes with you and we’re delivering it now.
To find out more about how Everon can support your organisation, and share emerging good practice through like-minded partnerships please contact our UK Sales Director Mark Smith – mark.smith@everon.net or book a consultation and we’ll be in touch.
