Find out how digital tools (Technology Enabled Care Service) can help patients - part of the Local Account Summary.
It’s been an extremely busy year for the service, with more staff being trained and an increase in people using the service. TEC’s position and recognition of an alternative to in-person care, helping people to stay independent and confident in their own situation, has grown, and Torbay has seen the benefit of this. This has led to a greater involvement in social care package input through multi-disciplinary working across all teams.
Our teams are committed to embedding TEC across Torbay’s ASC service to empower people to fulfil their potential, retain their independence and remain at home. Focus was given to improve practice across teams to drive the opportunities for people to receive TEC as part of packages of care.
Key improvements include:
Work is also underway to develop a new TEC model to commission.
Training has been a focus of the year, with many of the staff receiving specialised approvers and awareness sessions so that knowledge can be cascaded into the teams. We have generated more guidance than ever before to allow staff more access to equipment functionality. TECS has also supported Jack Sears House by providing a box of demonstration equipment for residents to see and for staff to explain how it could be of assistance as they are discharged home.
The TECS team has been involved in various projects throughout the year alongside a delivery partner, including: input into review and insights team activity; a pilot involving the remote sensor system, Canary Care; assisting a project with the health and social care coordinators when reviewing people’s support packages.
The service is due to be recommissioned as the term has matured, and in-depth requirements work on a service that will best serve our community have been another major focus of the year. Staff and members of the public should expect to see a new service begin in 2025/26.
The team is fully linked into local, regional, and national subject groups and regularly attends sessions both online and in-person to learn best practices and bring new and innovative input to the service in Torbay; this will continue as we seek to be a forward-thinking and market leading TECS provider in the UK.
Mr T, a 29-year-old with learning difficulties, lives with his mother. His goal is to find suitable accommodation to live independently in the community and to feel safe using public transport. However, due to a previous bad experience, Mr T does not feel comfortable traveling outside his current town and experiences anxiety when using public transport.
The social care and TEC teams met with Mr T to explore TEC solutions that could support his needs. With his consent, they provided him with an Oysta Pearl II, a device that includes:
The Nottingham Rehab Service ltd (NRS) technician demonstrated how to use the Oysta Pearl II, to make sure Mr T felt confident using the device.
Since receiving the Oysta Pearl II, Mr. T’s confidence has increased significantly. He is now looking forward to using public transport independently, which will allow him to expand his accommodation search and meet new friends. Knowing he can call for help if he feels threatened or anxious, he feels safer and more in control of his journey toward independent living.
Mrs B, an 80-year-old woman, often forgets to take her morning medication. Her daughter, who works full-time, is unable to provide daily support. Concerned about the risk of hospital admission, Mrs B’s daughter contacted the social care team to explore possible solutions that could help her mother manage her medication independently.
The team recommended Memrabel 3 as a suitable solution to support Mrs B’s needs. With her consent, the device was ordered and installed, and both Mrs B and her daughter were shown how to operate it. The Memrabel 3 provides timely reminders, enabling Mrs B to manage her medication without requiring carer support.
Since using the Memrabel 3, Mrs B has reported a significant reduction in anxiety and feels more in control of her medication and overall wellbeing. Her daughter has also expressed relief and reassurance, knowing that her mother can remain independent while effectively managing her medication.