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Reflecting on the highlights, delivery and achievements of the Digitising Social Care (DiSC) Programme.
2024/25 highlights from Clare Steward, Programme Director
- The £1.1 million Adult Social Care Technology Fund has enabled us to develop the BLMK Enhancing Wellbeing through Digital programme. As a result hundreds of vulnerable, cared-for people are already benefitting from PainChek and RoboPets, and we eagerly await the evaluation to understand their acceptability, usability, cost-effectiveness and real-world impact.
- We have concluded and now evaluated a number of pilot projects including Raizer Chairs, Acoustic Monitoring and MiiCare. All of these have demonstrated a positive impact for care staff, residents and their families, along with an impressive return on investment.
- We have met or exceeded the targets set by NHS England – including for Proxy Access and Digital Social Care Records.
- Many projects have been successfully expanded into domiciliary care and/or additional care locations.
- The programme team has been restructured to ensure maximum effectiveness within the new funding profile available, while striving to ensure we meet our delivery requirements.
- We have successfully secured sustainability funding for 2025/26 from all four BLMK local authorities.
- We have been invited to work alongside NHS England as a critical friend to shape, test and develop the three-year national strategy for 2025/26 and beyond.
- As a programme, our links to our four local authorities has gone from strength to strength as we do our best to continually align both national and local priorities.
2024/25 delivery and achievements
The BLMK ICS DiSC programme received a total investment of £938,000 in 2024/25 from various national funding streams. Funding primarily covers the technology, training, design, delivery and evaluation.
The estimated Return on Investment / Savings from three projects* over three years has equated to £2,633,679 from an initial investment of £773,166 (delivering a 3.4 : 1 return).
(* MiiCare, Raizer Chair care home and Raizer Chair domiciliary care)
Enhancing Wellbeing
- RoboPets: 693 pets (+132 demonstrators) have been deployed against a target of 1,300 by March 2026, with more expressions of interest being followed up.
- PainChek: Already live with 23 providers, and meeting our target to support 1,000 BLMK residents who are unable to effectively communicate if they are in pain.
Remote Monitoring expansion
- MiiCare: 73 residents supported to remain at home for longer with improved quality of life. Sustainability discussions are ongoing.
- Whzan: Scaling target of 53 additional care locations met, supporting 1,779 individuals and nine Discharge to Assess beds. Sustainability discussions are ongoing.
- Acoustic Monitoring: Continued support for six care locations to maximise benefits.
Digital Records: Strengthening the foundation
- Sustaining adoption: Adopted by 85% of BLMK care providers (80% National target exceeded) and 135 grants issued. Benefits survey in progress.
- Enhanced collaboration: Facilitating data sharing and improved care coordination through digital records.
- Ongoing support: Continuing to assist care locations with secure NHSmail setup, full Proxy Access, and data security best practices.
Falls Prevention
- Raizer Chair expansion: Provided to 145 care locations and 20 domiciliary care providers to minimise the risk of falls and improve response times.
- GaitSmart pilot: Exploring personalised mobility improvement plans with four collaborating sites.
Thank you
On behalf of the BLMK Digitising Social care team we would like to thank our care providers, system suppliers, community and voluntary services, residents, professionals, BLMK ICS and the local authority leadership teams. Your continued support and advocacy make all the difference. Thank you also to the NHS England regional team for their much-valued guidance and encouragement.
Together, we are shaping the future of social care – driving innovation, empowering communities, and making a lasting impact.
Contact us at:
blmkicb.digital.socialcare@nhs.net