Welsh government funds technology projects to transform domiciliary care delivery

The Welsh government has awarded innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects that use technology to support the transformation of domiciliary care delivery.

A total of £180,000 has been awarded to an initiative in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Bridgend County Borough Council area which aims to help people independently manage their medication using a digital device, including those suffering with a level of cognitive impairment.

The YOURmeds device reminds people to take their medication at a programmed time, and sends notifications to an identified friend or family member if medication is missed or taken incorrectly. Life Sciences Hub Wales is also supporting the project.

A further £200,000 has been awarded to test a new domiciliary care delivery model in Torfaen, Gwynedd and Denbighshire, underpinned by a purpose-built IT system.

Called ‘From Time and Task to Fulfilled Lives – a new domiciliary care system for Wales’, its aim is to bring together the health and care professionals managing and delivering care to the person in a joint approach.

Julie Morgan, Wales’ deputy minister for social services, said: ‘Social care and health continue to face increasing demands and challenges, including an ageing population.

‘It is vital we adapt in order to deliver a system fit for the future. This includes making it easier for health and social care to work together in a joined-up way and for us to respect the vital role of family members and friends as unpaid carers.

‘Innovation is a key to this and I am excited to see how these two initiatives can harness the power of technology to test if this will help us reach these goals. Both projects fit in with our objective in A Healthier Wales to help people to remain active and independent in their own homes for as long as possible.’

Albert Heaney, chief social care officer for Wales, said: ‘I am always inspired by the new and innovative ways we enhance the way we deliver care across Wales to meet the needs of our communities. Domiciliary care is a key service provided by a passionate, committed and skilled workforce. Trials like these will allow us to understand how we best maximise technology to compliment the skills of our workforce.’

Image: balesphotography

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