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We achieved all of the required national objectives and exceeded the national target of 80% for DSCR adoption
Related article: GP Connect gives care providers secure access to view key information from a person’s GP record in real time.
Going digital helps care providers work smarter and improve care
Every care provider registered with the health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), is being encouraged to improve the quality of its care by going digital. Changing from paper records to a digital social care record (DSCR) in care organisations can have a huge effect on the safety of care, as well as how well care works for those receiving it. It can also save care organisations time and money.
Care providers are encouraged to use the assured supplier list recommended by NHS England.
The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) DSCR project successfully achieved all of the required national objectives and exceeded the national target of 80% for DSCR adoption. At project close in March 2025, 85% of adult social care providers were using a digital social care record.
In total, 137 grants were awarded to care providers in BLMK to support them in moving from paper records to an assured digital system. Our analysis suggests that for every £1 invested, more than £2.50 has been saved.
Anecdotal feedback from our care managers and the formal evaluation strongly suggests that DSCRs are making a positive and important difference in the delivery and management of care. There is evidence of savings made for print consumables as well as staff and management time.
This work has laid the foundation for the future national ambitions to strengthen interoperability and data sharing across health and social care. The local evidence supports the case that increasing digital readiness and acceptance enables the provision of better care for vulnerable people, the professionals who care for them and their families and loved ones.
Applications for the DSCR grant are now closed, in line with the national programme.
What our care services say:
“I’m a big advocate for DSCR for safety, accountability and compliance reasons. We have better control in terms of monitoring and auditing… It ensures better communication… The alert system is fantastic – if there’s something we need to be aware of, we know about it immediately.” – Sembia Johnson, Registered Manager, M&C Home Support
“We know within an hour if there’s an incident where someone hasn’t had their medication. It’s also easier to track falls, see trends, and carry out lessons learnt reviews and root cause analysis. You can provide a safer service and know what’s happening in the community – I can’t underline enough the importance of that.” – Jason Drury, Managing Director at Prime Care Support
“The care system flows a lot better because of the digital notes. The person-centred system allows for a more rounded picture of care, which supports with the day-to-day running of the nursing home. I can’t imagine going back to a paper system.” – Heidi Perret, Deputy Manager of Peter’s Place
“Digital Social Care Records supported the staff to have better quality time with our residents. They have all the information in one place, and they can refer to it at any point of the day. For example when the staff take residents out in the community, it’s easy for them to record the activities straight away, and information won’t be lost or missed.” – Bouchra Izzar, Registered Manager of Houghton Regis Community Care Scheme
“It’s safer, it’s more robust and we wouldn’t go back any other way now. You’ve got more time because you’re quicker at actually recording, you have more time for the people that you’re supporting. So it’s a win-win all round.” – Chetna Satra, Registered Manager of The Limes
“Going digital has also made it much easier to share information with social workers, external agencies and GPs – there’s now no need to fill in separate paperwork or wait for information to come through.” – Winston Williams, Operations Manager of Winray Care Housing
DSCR case studies and media releases:
- Digital records support care providers to work more efficiently and deliver more person-centred care
- 80% of local care homes switch to DSCRs ahead of schedule
- DSCRs help local care provider to deliver safer, better and personalised care
- DSCR leads to better, safer care for local residents
- DSCRs bring benefits to local care home and its residents
- Digital records help care homes to work smarter and safer
- Learning disabilities care provider uses digital records to improve care
- Department of Health and Social Care media release: Digital revolution in care saves millions of admin hours
Contact us at:
blmkicb.digital.socialcare@nhs.net