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Reflections on the Autumn Budget 2024

Unlocking the power of proactive and preventative care services

Updates on the analogue to digital migration

Submissions now open for the ITEC Awards 2025

November/December 2024

The voice of Technology Enabled Care

Alyson Scurfield TSA Chief Executive

TSA’s purpose is to shape our wonderful sector, enhancing the adoption and quality of TEC.

Part of this is delivering a positive, ‘can-do’ response to Government, showing our sector can support their ambitions around health and care. The November/ December issue of TEC Voice is packed with examples of this can-do attitude.

One example is my recent meeting with Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms at a PTSN roundtable where I explained the challenges TEC organisations face around the switchover and the support needed from Government.

Attended by leaders from BT, VMO2, Openreach, Vodafone, Talk Talk, Sky and more, along with Ofcom, AgeUK, LGA, TechUK, Scottish and Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive, it’s obvious the digital switchover is beginning to get the firm focus it deserves.

Minister Bryant was receptive to my messaging and also to TSA’s role in bringing together the TEC and telecoms sectors. I will keep you up to date on all developments.

We’re continuing the next phase of our digital switchover trial programme with Virgin Media O2, demonstrating how telecoms providers and TEC providers can work together to support vulnerable people as their landlines are upgraded. Turn to page 5 for the results of our Stockport digital switchover trial and click here for further information.

We all know that much more is possible when telecare is digital, and that’s why TSA is working with ADASS on a new Commission, learning from councils that have successfully made the investment case for proactive and preventative care. We’re developing practical tools so other local authorities can form their business case around digital TEC. Read more on page 3.

This links back to our previous work in the TEC Action Alliance around evidencing the benefits of TEC and also exploring what people really want from TEC. Our Commission with ADASS will ensure the views of people with lived experience are right at the heart of this work.

I hope you enjoy our November/ December issue.

Unlocking the power of proactive and preventative care services

The Labour Government has made it clear that prevention and digital technology is central to their vision for health

Indeed, the latest Spring Survey from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) shows that nearly three quarters of local authorities plan to increase their spending on technology enabled care (TEC) in 2024/25, aligning with the Government’s priorities.

Despite this drive, we know that many local authorities still struggle to make the business case for proactive, preventative services.

TSA believes there are enough existing examples of investment in these solutions to create a blueprint that other local authorities can adopt.

and social care.

Together with ADASS, we are setting up a commission to develop this blueprint, collecting benefits cases, metrics, and examples of how proactive and preventative services are supporting people to live the lives they want.

This blueprint will identify common approaches to gaining investment in proactive and preventative services and the outcomes this investment is delivering such as reducing social care costs and improving people’s lives.

It will build on previous TSA and ADASS collaborations, along with work from the TEC Action Alliance, which explored how can we show TEC is delivering the right outcomes through better evaluation.

Melanie Williams, ADASS president and executive director for adult social care and health, Nottinghamshire County Council, is co-chairing the commission. She said:

“We know that there is huge opportunity to change the way we work and to support people much more effectively through digital and technology. However, many adult social care leaders will be facing significant challenges in balancing their books and working out where to focus effort, so need some support in understanding how to realise those opportunities We’re working jointly with TSA to develop a practical toolkit that helps directors of adult social services to make the argument for introducing proactive, preventative services at both a local and national level.”

Sir David Pearson, chair of TEC Quality and co-chair of the commission, said:

“This work is all about helping older and disabled people to access early and comprehensive support, closer to home. We’re bringing local authority commissioners and digital leads together with people who have lived experience, TEC service providers and suppliers to transform services in this country, integrating digital and AI into the social care and health offer. We know that prevention helps people to live in the place they call home for longer. We also know it helps hard-pressed social care budgets to stretch further. I’m really excited to see the hands-on help this commission will provide.”

To find out more about the commission, email paul.berney@tsa-voice.org.uk

In partnership with:

Alyson Scurfield with Sir Chris Bryant at the TechUK MP briefing reception on the Digital Phone Switchover at the House of Commons

Updates on the Analogue to Digital Migration

Your input matters: Complete TSA’s Digital Readiness Survey now

TSA has made a commitment to central Government to lead the collation and publication of a near to live regional and national telecare switchover dashboard.

This will show the current position and future timescales for the completion of analogue to digital migration by telecare service providers in the UK. We won’t be publishing anything down to organisation level. The intention is to create an industry level picture only. Data will be used to track UK A2D progress for dispersed and scheme connections and TSA will update cross government colleagues every month.

Importantly, the data will help TSA to lobby Government so we can secure the support needed by the TEC sector. But to do this, we need your data.

Please complete the survey below as soon as possible and pass this link on to any other TEC providers:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NTRG3D6

N.B. This survey should be completed only by those organisations that contain an Alarm Receiving Centre (i.e. you should not complete this survey if you outsource your TEC monitoring to another organisation).

Stockport digital switchover trial: the results

TSA has been working with Virgin Media O2 and Stockport-based TEC provider, Carecall on a trial to enhance support for telecare service users as their traditional landline services are upgraded.

The trial has included successful risk-profiling, data sharing and a new on-the-day process where Virgin Media O2 engineers upgrade landlines at the same time as Carecall staff upgrade telecare equipment.

The results of the trial are striking:

Migration appointments were successfully booked with 90% of all customers contacted - showing the power of Virgin Media O2 working with the local authority and trusted telecare service.

17% of these bookings were only secured when a customer’s next of kin or support worker were involved or a welfare visit had taken place.

By the end of the 10-week trial, 96% of all appointments had resulted in a successful migration of the customer’s landline and telecare equipment.

Of the 4% that were unsuccessful, this was mainly due to customers’ complex health issues, or no-one being at home. These appointments are being assessed.

Get in touch to be part of TSA’s next digital switchover trial phase with Virgin Media O2. You can also find out about TSA’s digital switchover support, by emailing: Charlotte.Findlay@tsa-voice.org.uk

Find out more on the Stockport Trial and the results here: https://www.tsa-voice.org.uk/digital-shift/about-the-a2d-shift/stockport-trial/

Above: Field technician from Virgin Media O2 and independent living officer from Stockport Homes upgrading a customer’s equipment

Risks and opportunities: You said, we did

Every year, TSA runs a Risk Survey to identify the challenges and opportunities facing TEC. This is a chance for members to tell us about the issues they’re tackling now and how they feel about the future.

Gauging the mood of the sector helps TSA to prioritise key work programmes and offer the right support. One way we’re doing this is through our Quality Improvement Programme, and in recent months we’ve responded directly to member feedback by producing guidance and standards on service resilience, risk management and more through our Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

However, TSA’s Quality Improvement Programme has a new governance structure, led by the Sector Risk and Innovation Group (SRIG). This body commissions work to develop practical tools, guidance, standards and training to help members.

Many thanks to those of you who have already volunteered to get involved with the working groups through the ‘Innovation and Challenge Panel’. Below is a quick update on the progress of these work streams:

RESILIENCE

Reliability of TEC systems is something TSA and • TEC Quality have already been working hard on, developing and communicating new standards and guidance at a service level. This issue remains a key risk area and SRIG has determined that we need to go further, putting new resilience measures in place for technology solutions. Watch this space.

CYBERSECURITY

The TEC sector has experienced significant cyber • threats in recent weeks, and whilst there is good support available from national schemes, such as the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) and Cyber Essentials, we need to determine if TEC needs any specific actions. With new TEC services and technologies relying so heavily on data, how do we make sure they are safe? We’re also developing guidance on cyber incident management.

INTEROPERABILITY

Questions around the integration of different TEC • solutions and services were raised in last year’s Risk Survey and SRIG has set up a dedicated work programme. Initially the work examines how supplier A. can work more seamlessly with Supplier B.

BARRIERS TO TEC ADOPTION

Feedback from the 2023 Risk Survey highlighted • two challenges our sector faces when driving TEC take up. One is a lack of evidence to form an investment case and the other is the absence of common understanding around TEC. We have set up a Commission with ADASS to address the evidence issue (read more on page 3) and we’re developing a Common Understanding campaign to tackle the awareness issue.

WORKFORCE AWARENESS

Last year’s survey shone a light on the lack of • knowledge and confidence about using TEC in the social care workforce. TSA is now addressing this through its Virtual House and a comprehensive workforce development strategy, including training, guidance and a range of learning tools.

You can share your views about risks and opportunities by taking part in this year’s annual Risk Survey.

For more info visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Survey_of_ Risks_and_Opportunities_2024

Putting TEC at the heart of our health service

In October, health and social care secretary Wes Streeting launched the Change NHS website, inviting everyone – from people drawing on health and care, to staff working in this area, and those of us driving innovation in TEC - to shape the future of the NHS through a new 10-Year Health Plan.

The plan focuses on three transformative shifts: moving care closer to home, embracing digital care, and focusing on prevention. This aligns perfectly with the work TSA has been championing across the TEC sector and beyond for some time now.

This isn’t just another NHS consultation; it’s a chance for us all to contribute to a future where care is more accessible, equitable, and centred around what people really want.

For those of us in TEC, this is also a chance to demonstrate how the solutions we’re developing can shape a reformed, future-proofed NHS.

We are asking our members to share their evidence and insights around TEC. Rather than technology just being part of health and care, we want to ensure it is central to building a system that truly works for everyone.

Visit https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/ to have your say.

Sector News

Submissions Now Open For TSA’s ITEC Awards 2025

We are delighted to present our annual International Technology Enabled Care (ITEC) Awards to be held at the prestigious Gala Dinner at ITEC Conference on the evening of 17 March at the ICC Birmingham.

ITEC represents Innovation, Integration and Improvement using technology enabled care, and these awards will highlight organisations that are doing the most to deliver significant benefits for individuals, carers and communities, as well as for commissioners and providers.

The TSA ITEC Awards, are open to any organisation or individual working in TEC and they recognise excellence and outstanding achievements and vision within the TEC sector.

Mark your calendars for what promises to be a landmark evening at the iconic ICC in Birmingham on the 17 of March 2025.

Strategic Leader

“The ITEC Awards act as a hallmark of quality and innovation for nominated and winning organisations and attracts recognition from not only the TEC community but also showcases the capability of technology enabled care into housing, health and social care and the difference it makes to the people and communities it supports.”

Reflecting on a Successful ‘Collaborative and Co-ordinated Care @home’ Event

Fully booked event highlights innovative partnerships in healthcare technology.

What a fantastic day we’ve had at the ‘Collaborative and Co-ordinated Care @home’ event at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central! From thought-provoking discussions to insightful presentations, the event was packed with energy, collaboration, and innovation as we explored the transformative power of technology in care.

A Day of Meaningful Insights

The day began with a warm welcome from TSA’s Chief Executive, Alyson Scurfield, setting the tone for an inspiring agenda ahead. We delved into how digital technology can empower individuals to manage their care needs independently at home while creating seamless, integrated solutions that support people of all ages.

Throughout the day, we heard from incredible speakers who shared their expertise and experiences, sparking crucial conversations about the future of care. From Kay Smith’s heartfelt insights on “My Home, My Care, My Way,” to Martyn Wallace’s

exploration of digital telecare and the potential of cloud technology, every session brought fresh perspectives and valuable takeaways. The panel discussions, featuring representatives from our sponsors Appello UK and CGI, were a particular highlight, showcasing how partnerships and datadriven solutions can deliver meaningful outcomes.

Collaboration and Engagement at the Heart

Interactive sessions in the afternoon encouraged participants to brainstorm ways to overcome challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration within technology-enabled care (TEC). The discussions were lively and engaging, reflecting the passion and commitment of everyone in the room to drive innovation and improvement in the sector.

A Huge Thank You

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made the event possible:

Our sponsors, Appello UK and CGI, whose support was instrumental in bringing this event to life.

Our speakers, for their expertise and inspiration.

Our exhibitors, who showcased cutting-edge solutions.

And of course, our attendees, whose participation and enthusiasm were key to the event’s success.

Together, we’ve taken another step towards revolutionising care through technology. Now, it’s time to turn these insights into action as we continue to shape the future of TEC.

Let’s keep the momentum going – the future of care is collaborative, connected, and bright!

See more on our events page at: https://www.tsa-voice.org.uk/events/

Reflections on the Autumn Budget 2024

As the dust settles on the chancellor’s Autumn budget, I wanted to reflect on what it means for

our TEC sector.

By Alyson Scurfield TSA Chief Executive

We’ve all seen the headlines:

An additional £22.6bn for Department of Health and Social Care day-to-day spending.

Just £600m for social care (despite the Local Government Association predicting councils will face £3.4bn in extra social care pressures next year)

A welcome increase to the Carer’s Allowance weekly earnings limit, helping more carers to balance caring responsibilities with work.

Increases to employers’ National Insurance and the minimum wage, hitting many care providers and threatening to soak up any new social care grant funding.

Although the meagre £600m social care investment highlights the inequality between health and care, along with an absence of any long term, sustainable social care reform, I want to highlight some green shoots of opportunity.

We’re seeing strong signals that digital technology is central to how Labour envisions the health and care future.

The Budget outlined a commitment to “a missionled, technology-enabled, and reform-driven settlement for public services”, highlighting the integration of advanced technologies in public service delivery.

There was a focus on reducing healthcare costs and waiting times through expanded digital infrastructure and technology-enabled solutions.

Over £2bn of investment was announced for NHS technology and digital with a focus on enhancing patient access, increasing staff productivity and utilising electronic health records. And £520m was allocated for a Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund.

We also know that as the Government consults on and reimagines the future of the NHS (their 10-year health plan will be announced in Spring 2025), they want to achieve three ‘big shifts’ for the NHS:

1. Moving care from hospitals to the community

2. Shifting services from analogue to digital

3. Moving away from treating sickness to prevention

I believe the innovation and hands on experience in the TEC sector means we are uniquely placed to contribute to these shifts and support the Government in delivering their Budget priorities.

We know that:

Digital TEC keeps people out of hospital, in their own homes

Digital TEC opens the door to preventative, early support

Digital TEC gives peace of mind to unpaid carers

Digital TEC supports workforce productivity and retention

Digital TEC empowers older and disabled people to live good lives

So, I urge you, our brilliant sector, to share your stories, insights and results, demonstrating how TEC can support the Government as they build a National Care Service fit for the future.