Social Car Digital Future: the journey has begun

Posted by: Alice Ainsworth, Posted on: 10 March 2023

Demystifying digital

Moving from paper-based systems to digital systems can be daunting With so much information out there it’s hard to know where to start and, if you describe yourself as a technophobe, it might all feel pretty overwhelming. Breaking it down into manageable stages is definitely the best approach; it’s a marathon, not a sprint after all.

When considering new technology for your service it’s best to ask yourself some fundamental questions: are our current systems fit for purpose, both now and looking to the future? What positive changes can technology help us achieve? How will we know that it’s been successful?

For many care providers the first step to digital transformation is the move from paper-based care planning to using digital care records. But there are some other elements to consider before getting to that point. How good is your Wi-Fi? Have you thought about data security and cyber protection? Is everyone on your team on board with the proposed change?

Decent internet connectivity is essential for any business these days and that applies to care businesses too There’s guidance to help you get set up and the good news is things like digital care record systems can still work well even if you don’t have superfast internet connectivity

Better security, better care

Making sure you’re managing confidential information properly is mportant for any business The Better Security, Better Care programme is there to help care providers store and share nformation safely and this applies to both paper and digital records

Completing the Data Security and Protection Toolkit will help you to evaluate and improve your data and cybersecurity and ensure you have met the standards needed to handle data safely and transition rom paper to digital.

It’s vital that everyone in your team is onboard with the change Do they understand the benefits of digital working and the role they play in making it happen? Most importantly, everyone needs the skills and confidence to use the technology effectively. The good news is there’s lots of free training to support you and your team in gaining and developing those digital skills.

And last, but definitely not least, digital transformation needs to start from the ground up

Once you’ve got these fundamentals in place then it’s time to think about moving away from paper to digital care planning. We can help you with all of this. We manage a list of companies that have passed our rigorous assurance processes for provision of digital care plan solutions. There’s even an online tool to help you select the right system for your needs