Technology and the use of data improve quality of care

How the ‘Data Saves Lives’ strategy will change the health sector

The Department of Health and Social Care recently published its new strategy, "Data saves lives: reshaping health and social care with data." This action plan outlines that data will play a significant role in the digital transformation of the NHS and social care sector, helping to save lives and provide the best possible care.  

Some of the key pledges made in the plan include:  

• Improving trust in the health and care system’s use of data 
• Giving health and care professionals the information they need to provide the best possible care 
• Improving data for adult social care 

• Supporting local and national decision-makers with data 
• Empowering researchers with the data they need to develop life-changing treatments, diagnostics, models of care and insights 
• Working with partners to develop innovations that improve health and care 
• Developing the right technical infrastructure 

The background to this new strategy derives from the upheaval and disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a pivotal point for the government’s digital transformation - the acceleration of the adoption of digital technologies increased by the pandemic has led to a pressing need for organisations and governments to adapt. 

The government want to build upon the positive elements of the pandemic, one of them being to digitise health and care records for interoperability so they can be accessed by professionals across primary, secondary, and social care. 

 Counting on data for better health and care 

The use of digital technology in health and social care can massively improve quality, efficiency and patient experience.  

The UK health and social care secretary has set a government target to have 80% of all registered care providers operating digital care record systems by 2024. NHSX is currently providing funding of £8.2 million to support the digitisation of social care. The funding is to pilot digital social care technology with integrated digital care systems.  

The digital care record system will play an essential role in joining up care across social care and the NHS - with real-time information being shared with authorised individuals across the health and care sector.  This will help free up time spent by care workers and managers on administrative tasks whilst equipping them with the information they need to deliver care.  

Digital Care Systems are the market-leading solution championing the digital transformation of care.​Person Centred software's digital care planning system is the UK care sector's most widely used system.

The system is easy to use, fast, and icon-driven, with little need for typing.  It evidences care interactions as they happen, allowing staff to spend more time with residents while supporting regulatory compliance and improving the quality of care for residents.​ 

Person Centred Software partners with the best-in-class organisations that integrate and work alongside the Digital Care System to provide a complete and unrivalled ecosystem.  Including assistive technology, electronic medication management systems, pain assessment software and much more. ​ 

• Over 5 million quality care notes are evidenced every day  
• Over 90,000 residents are benefiting from our system daily 
• Over 1,000 organisations are using the system  
• Over 18,000 users are accessing monitor daily   
• And finally, nearly 45,000 staff are on duty each day 

Person Centred Software stores a vast amount of data which is presented in a meaningful and usable way. The data covers what residents like to do and talk about, their personality, medical history, personal belongings, the stage in their life, any care equipment they require and their contacts and relatives. 

This information is linked to the software supplier’s Relatives Gateway and care plans, which document vital information such as wounds, infections, observations, blood pressure, pulse, weight, any initial assessments and risk assessments, and planned care.  

The system allows for care to be recorded wherever the staff are; there is no more rushing to write up care notes. By recording interactions at the point of care, the information recorded is more person-centred, and reflective of residents lived experiences. ​ 

Why care providers have found the Digital Care System to be such an impactful and effective solution​ 

‘’The key benefits of the integration with GP Connect is that our nurses now have access to real-time information as well as a clear picture of historic care for our residents. The vast amount of time saved by having instantaneous accessibility is beneficial for not only our nurses but for GPs too as we no longer need to call GPs for updates or information.’’ 

Mike Armstrong, Managing Director at Havering Care Homes 

“We’ve found the software to be fantastic – the access to GP Patient records is instant, which saves an invaluable amount of time. It enables our care home to process admissions much quicker as the information is at hand, which is a great help for the hospitals, especially when they struggle for beds.” 

Marinel Purdea, Deputy Manager at Aura Care Living