IT Support to Care Homes
Care homes in the UK provide essential care and support to vulnerable individuals, but they also rely on technology to deliver that care effectively. From managing medical records to communicating with families, IT support is critical to ensuring that care homes can operate efficiently and provide the highest standard of care. In this blog, we’ll discuss the key considerations when providing IT support to care homes in the UK.
David James, Head of Adult Social Care Policy at the Care Quality Commission states:
“Access to care records, and the use of data and technology are fundamental to health and social care delivery, therefore the Care Quality Commission needs to assess how safely they are used, and how well led care providers are in terms of information governance.”
“As providers will know, our current assessment framework is based around five key questions, key lines of enquiry, ratings, legal standards and fundamental standards. The use and security of records and data is already covered within these.
In particular, question C3.3 from the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) asks: “How are people assured that information about them is treated confidentially…?” And question W2.8 asks: “How does the service satisfy itself that it has robust arrangements… in line with data security standards?”
As the CQC develops its regulation model it will move into quality statements and data security will sit firmly under the well led section
“We have clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance. We use these to manage and deliver good quality, sustainable care, treatment and support. We act on the best information about risk, performance and outcomes, and we share this securely with others when appropriate.”
It is clear that Digital security is a focus of the CQC and access will be limited to shared care systems should providers not provide the right level of assurance.
We know how important having functional IT systems is, CQC notifications, Safeguarding alerts and updated care records are just some examples of our dependence on technology. That’s where we come in…our services cover all the areas and more and allow you to focus on the running of your setting while we handle all of the IT in the background. We can even support you to obtain Cyber essentials accreditation and complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
All CQC-registered care providers should complete the DSPT at least once a year. The deadline for 2022/23 is 30 June 2023. The DSPT can open up real opportunities. For example, you must have completed the DSPT if you: deliver services under an NHS contract; use a shared health and care records system; or you are applying for an NHS mail account.
Understanding the Unique Needs of Care Homes
Providing IT support to care homes requires a thorough understanding of their unique needs. Unlike other businesses or organizations, care homes have specific requirements when it comes to technology. For example, they need to ensure that medical records are kept confidential and secure, while also enabling staff to access them quickly and easily. Care homes may also need to manage large volumes of data related to medication and treatments, as well as communicate with doctors, nurses, and families.
We work closely with care homes to understand their specific needs and requirements. This means taking the time to meet with staff and management to discuss their technology setup, identify any pain points or challenges, and determine how best to support their needs.
Providing Reliable and Secure Infrastructure
Once the unique needs of the care home have been identified, we can begin to develop an infrastructure that meets those needs. This may involve setting up secure servers to store medical/Care records and other sensitive data, installing reliable Wi-Fi networks, and configuring devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Security is particularly important in care homes, as they handle sensitive patient data. We ensure that all data is stored securely and that staff are trained in best practices for handling that data. This may include implementing strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and encryption to protect data from cyber attacks and other security breaches.
Providing Ongoing Support and Training
IT support to care homes is not a one-time job – ongoing support and training are essential to ensure that systems remain up-to-date and that staff are able to use them effectively. This means providing regular updates and maintenance to hardware and software, troubleshooting any issues that arise, and offering training and support to staff as needed.
Training is particularly important in care homes, as many staff may not be particularly tech-savvy. We ensure that staff understand how to use the technology that is available to them, as well as any relevant policies and procedures around data security and privacy.
Conclusion – IT support to care homes
Providing IT support to care homes in the UK is a critical task that requires a deep understanding of their unique needs and requirements. We work closely with care home staff to develop secure and reliable infrastructure, provide ongoing support and training, and ensure that data is stored and managed in compliance with relevant regulations. By doing so, they can help care homes to operate more efficiently and provide better care to vulnerable individuals.
