St Helens Borough Council TEC service receives national recognition
St Helens Borough Council has received national recognition for its approach to technology-enabled care (TEC) that is supporting people to live independently in their own homes for longer.
A collaborative programme between the local authority’s adult social care, ICT, and digital services has resulted in the creation of a hub at the council’s Brookfield Support Centre facility.
The hub contains a range of AI technology that is having a positive effect, helping improve mobility, and supporting people with dementia, as well as reducing falls and social isolation.
The equipment, available for purchase, varies from assistive lighting and automatic medication dispensers to one-pot kettles and self-draining sinks to help those with mobility issues. Pillow shakers and sensors help alert to danger and prevent falls.
In addition, smart water bottles help to increase fluid intake, and one-button computers offer a simple and safe way to communicate with loved ones to reduce social isolation.
Robotic cat and dog therapy pets that respond to petting, without the need for special care or feeding, and provide comfort for people living with dementia and anxiety, are also available.
The council says feedback on the technology from a recent focus group, including Brookfield staff, service users, and family members, has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants have praised the calming effects of the robotic therapy pets on dementia patients and reducing stress for residents who might be anxious about being away from home.
In addition to the technology at Brookfield, the council has developed an AI-powered TEC Care Assessment Digital Catalogue. This tool suggests the most suitable technology solutions for an individual to maintain their Independence, following an assessment.
Forming part of a new practice model that aims to put people at the centre of their care and use new and innovative ways to help people live independently at home for longer, the council’s approach to TEC came out on top in the Transforming and Innovating Public Services Award at the iNetwork Awards recently. The council’s TEC initiative has been shortlisted as a finalist at this year’s prestigious MJ Awards which honours outstanding achievements in local government.
Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Integrated Health and Social Care, recently visited Brookfield Support Centre on Park Road, which provides intermediate care for people who have been discharged from hospital but not quite ready to return to their own home.
Councillor Bowden commented: “To meet the challenges of growing demand for social care – as a council working with you, for you – we need to look at ways of modernising our services and make use of what modern technology can offer – with the aim of supporting residents to live happier, healthier lives in their own homes which is ultimately where they want to be.
“This is why it is fantastic to receive such recognition for our innovative approach to adult social care. It is recognition for the hard work and innovation of our staff, and importantly, this work is delivering. We are helping residents while achieving a key priority of promoting good health, independence and care across our communities.
“To understand the scale of the task and the council’s pivotal role in supporting residents, there are currently 38,500 older adults in St Helens Borough who are supported by the local authority everyday – whether it’s to live independently, or with dementia and long-term needs care – with around £70m of the council’s overall budget spent on social care every year.
“We do this through the hard work and dedication of our staff, and a drive to invest in these services, focus resources on supporting the most vulnerable in our communities and take the tough decisions needed to generate the resources needed to deliver this care.”
A digital brochure is available on the council website to signpost people to equipment which they can purchase independently, with advice and support also offered to residents and families during interactions with Adult Social Care and Integrated staff.
A vital council service in South Lanarkshire is to be bolstered to help keep vulnerable people safe and independent in their own homes.
