Budgeting for better care: Local authorities and technology-enabled care solutions

Richard Keyse, CEO and Founder of 2iC-Care, outlines an action plan for local authorities to control care spending and optimise technology-enabled care

As the population of over 65s in the UK grows, pressure on local authority adult social care budgets is set to increase unsustainably. However, many care leaders and technology enthusiasts are united in their view that technology-enabled care (TEC) is more than just a means of preserving older or vulnerable people’s independence and wellbeing; they see that TEC could be the key to controlling or reducing care spending. Some of the key cost-saving opportunities presented by TEC are:

• Reducing the requirement for domiciliary care hours due to telehealth and remote monitoring;
• Preventing early admission to costly care homes via the implementation of preventative care solutions; and
• Improving the efficiency of care operations due to actionable and accessible data.

There is compelling evidence to support these savings, but it is often isolated or small-scale. For example, Wirral council used preventative technology to spot an early-stage kidney infection which prevented health decline and protected against increased care costs; but this solution has not yet been tested at scale. Consequently, some adult social care leaders are sceptical about investing in TEC, fearing that they will not be able to deliver the required, large-scale return on investment.

As a lifelong digital strategist who has witnessed technology adoption in multiple sectors, I am confident that TEC, particularly remote monitoring, is the solution to combat mounting pressure. Adult social care teams should follow these three steps to realise this potential.

Step 1: Identify which data you need to control spending

When seeking to solve a challenge with technology, it is logical to jump straight to reviewing solutions. However, the crucial first step is to gain clarity and consensus on where your adult social care budget needs to control or reduce spending so that you can understand which data will help optimise resource allocation while ensuring the preservation of high-quality care.

For example, analysing adult social care spending may reveal that response team callouts to false alarms unnecessarily absorb large sums from the budget. With this insight, you can consider which data you need to better assess whether a response team is required for an incident. You can then forecast how much cost you could avoid if you use this data to reduce response team callouts to false alarms by 5-10% or more. Overall, this exercise will show you the range of data you require to meaningfully reduce budget wastage across multiple aspects of your service.

Step 2: Pick the right TEC solution to achieve your goals

At the heart of any successful technology-enabled care service lies the selection and deployment of the right technology. Local authorities who seek to build a future-proofed TEC service should emphasise interoperability and the technology’s ability to centralise key care data when reviewing solutions.

Interoperable systems ensure seamless communication and data exchange between software platforms and care peripherals. Access to centralised data is crucial if adult social care teams want to streamline operations and identify cost-saving opportunities. Interoperability and centralisation are required to use technology to comprehensively understand an individual’s health and wellbeing.

Moreover, the software chosen should be much more than a simple data repository; it should deliver analytical functionality, too. TEC solutions can sift through vast datasets, pinpoint trends and highlight areas for potential cost savings for local authorities. This proactive approach transforms raw data into actionable insights, enabling decision- makers to make informed choices about resource allocation. The key is to regularly check that the technology procured to deliver your TEC service provides the interoperability and centralisation you will need to be able to source and act upon the data you require to identify cost-avoidance opportunities.

Step 3: Build a complimentary culture change plan

The right technology will be essential to controlling adult social care spending. Still, the technology’s impact depends on a local authority’s comprehensive plan to maximise its use. It is crucial to recognise that technology, no matter how advanced, is not a magic wand; its true power emerges when coupled with a commitment to making the most of the investment. TEC leaders within local authorities must foster a culture of change that embraces innovation and encourages buy-in from all relevant teams and individuals.

This cultural transformation involves educating and empowering the workforce to instil a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for integrating technology into their daily operations. An effective plan should not only train professionals on the technical aspects of the software but also communicate the broader vision and benefits of TEC. The plan’s success lies in creating an environment where stakeholders understand the transformative potential of technology and actively contribute to its success.

Strategic planning to reduce adult social care spending

In conclusion, if adult social care teams want to harness the power of TEC to control or reduce adult social care spending meaningfully, their approach must be strategic. Their plan should focus on collecting the right data, ensuring suitable technology is procured, and prioritising developing an accompanying culture change plan. When these three elements align, the transformative power of TEC becomes self-evident, paving the way for increased independence, reduced costs, and adult social care teams that truly put the individual at the centre of care.