New Health Secretary urged to prioritise digital transformation of social care

The new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been urged by providers to prioritise social care and continue the plan to incorporate greater technology use to tackle the growing crisis within the sector.

Mario Zuccaro, Founder of Oysta, which provides technology enabled care to over 60 local authorities in the UK and Spain, said increasing use of technology within social care is a ‘must have’.

‘Getting the right social care solutions is essential to helping to improve the NHS – you cannot fix one without fixing the other. From timely hospital discharges to providing a more active, social way of living to our vulnerable communities, social care is at the very heart of a healthier population,’ he said.

‘As he starts his first day in his new role, I am urging Mr Barclay to ensure that social care is treated with as much importance as health care which means ensuring that digital transformation occurs across all levels of social care.

‘Because without embracing technology and harnessing the power of data, the growing problems in the NHS will not be tackled.’

Many people are currently reliant on models of care based around static personal alarms based in homes and visiting carers.

‘Most of us have now experienced the very real hardship which being stuck indoors brings, on both our mental and physical health. We have embraced the freedom to go outside and meet once again. But for many elderly people in particular, we are still imposing this requirement for them to stay inside if they want to access the care which is on offer,’ explained Zuccaro.

‘I don’t think that’s good enough: we should be providing better services and technology gives us the opportunity to do that.’

In related news, plans to deliver a digital revolution to make the health and social care system ‘fit for the 21st century’ have been revealed by the government.

Photo by Sabine Van Erp