Turner, P. and Bourikas, L. and Bahaj, A. S. and Gauthier, S. and James, P. and Dalton, H. and Allott, N. and Lines, J. (2020) Implementation of digital technology for connected resilient communities, enhancing access to public services. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 588 (3): 032018. ISSN 1755-1307
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Digital technology has been presented as part of the solution to revolutionise public services, such as social care with its rising costs and demand. Here we present the outcome of an ongoing trial of CareTeam, a digital platform used during the redesign of the commission of domiciliary care for Portsmouth City Council, UK. CareTeam comprises a mobile app and sensors developed to support independent living, enabling communication and coordination of the wider care network. Qualitative interviews with care workers and commissioners were conducted to understand the impact on the commissioning and administration of care for clients and care workers/management. Responses indicate that technology can enhance care provision through increased transparency and collaboration. CareTeam provided (a) assurances to formal and informal carers that the care was actually being delivered and (b) improved adherence and adaptability to the care schedule delivering a more cost effective and robust service. While previous research has shown digital technologies perceived as being in competition with traditional service provision, CareTeam was found to support human interactions. Results show that connected services can be deployed to support assisted living through providing person centric, efficient and cost-effective support in the budget-restrained social services reality.