Local authority has used Access AI system to help vulnerable residents continue living in their own homes for as long as possible
Feryal Clark MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, has praised an example of technology-enabled care (TEC) being deployed in preventative care across the London Borough of Sutton as a ‘shining example’ of the kind of innovation that ‘make our lives easier and improve public service.’
Photo by Markus Spiske
The minister had been to Sutton to see the TEC in use. Working with service delivery partner Medequip Connect, the council has installed smart plugs, motion sensors and other remote devices in the homes of residents who require social care services and will benefit from the 24/7 virtual support that AI-powered TEC provides.
Data from these devices is supplied to a TEC platform called Assure, developed by Loughborough-based digital engineering company AccessAI. The AI in the Assure dashboard and app identifies changes in behaviour that may signal the need for intervention, enabling caregivers to respond proactively.
Already, the system being used in Sutton has led to 25 residents per month being referred to the local NHS two-hour urgent community response service. In doing it, there has been a reduction in ambulance callouts and potential hospital admissions, putting less pressure on NHS services overall.
Access is the only provider of TEC to currently feature in the government’s algorithmic transparency recording standard (ATRS), as part of wider efforts to ensure ethical and transparent AI use in public services. The initiative in Sutton also supports the government’s AI opportunities action plan, which aims to make AI a key tool for improving public services and reducing administrative burdens.
The initiative in Sutton is one of 10 examples cited by the government of local authorities using AI to help local residents and save money. Other examples include a tool built in-house by West Berkshire Council to speed up the process of applying for a bigger bin. There are also chatbots to help people apply for social care qualifications in Wales and algorithmic tools to help predict the costs of adult care.
Sutton Council now hopes to expand provision of the Access TEC solution across its independent living schemes within the Sutton Housing Partnership, comprising 22 schemes and more than 500 residents.
Cllr Marian James, Lead Member for People Services at the London Borough of Sutton, says: ‘Research shows that people live well for longer when they can maintain their independence and dignity by staying in their own home. That’s why we’re using digital technology to help our residents live independently, with the reassurance that support is there if they need it. With ongoing pressures on adult social care services, I’m proud that the Council is adopting forward-looking solutions that not only benefit our residents but also help ease the strain on the system.’
Andy Sparkes, Managing Director for Local Government at The Access Group, adds: ‘Our technology goes beyond responding to alarms. By learning individual routines, it detects changes that may require early support, helping care providers act before a crisis occurs. This focus on early intervention ensures the right care is delivered at the right time, creating a more personalised approach to care delivery. We hope this initiative will help to scale the future of ethical AI.’
In related news:
AI is allowing social workers to escape from behind the desk
High fidelity: Chasing success without prioritising your mental health