Dozens of care providers in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the wider Dorset area are improving care through new digital tools and training.
Thanks to funding from the national Digitising Social Care programme, 67 adult care providers have now introduced technology such as digital record systems and acoustic monitoring, while staff have been given digital training to improve day-to-day support for residents.
A key development has been the introduction of the county’s first network of 36 digital champions in care homes. One of them is based at Culliford House in Dorchester, which has taken full advantage of the funding.
Quality Manager Jeanette A’Court said: “Instead of filling in reams of paperwork, we now have a digital record system that enables our staff to fill in reports on the spot via special handsets. This frees up more time for our staff to spend with patients.”
Culliford House also now uses an acoustic monitoring system to detect unusual noise patterns at night, offering an additional layer of safety for residents. Jeanette added: “It alerts us immediately and we can respond at once.”
Dorset Council, working with the Dorset Integrated Care System, helped lead the rollout. Councillor Steve Robinson said the initiative was “a win-win for the providers that have grasped these opportunities and the residents and families they serve.”
Digital champion training was supported by Partners in Care and funded with a £32,000 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.