People should have the same opportunity to benefit from technology enabled care, wherever they live. A new TSA briefing for the Casey Commission sets out how fairer access and a stronger focus on prevention could help make that possible.
Technology enabled care can help people maintain their independence, feel reassured at home and get support when they need it. Yet TSA’s briefing highlights that access remains uneven, with local approaches influencing the support available.
Published on 10 November, The Role of Technology Enabled Care in a National Care Service calls for technology to be considered routinely during care assessments, planning and reviews.
For people receiving care, that means a more consistent opportunity to explore support that fits their needs. For providers and commissioners, it means considering technology as part of the whole service, including the people, skills and response arrangements that make it effective.
Turning prevention into practice
The briefing calls for investment to help councils and providers develop more proactive services, alongside training for care professionals and support for unpaid carers.
It also argues for success to be measured through outcomes such as independence, safety and reassurance, alongside how effectively services use their resources.
These are priorities Tunstall supports. Earlier insight is valuable when it leads to appropriate action. That takes technology, skilled teams and clear responsibilities working together around the person.
Building the evidence for better care
The briefing draws on an independent evidence review by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, alongside work with local authorities, providers and other sector stakeholders.
It recognises that stronger long-term economic evidence is still needed and calls for more consistent evaluation as services develop.
Tunstall is one of seven organisations funding TSA’s National Sector Support Group, the programme behind this work. Its focus includes strengthening independent evidence and developing practical guidance for service design and commissioning.
The opportunity is to make effective support available earlier and more consistently, helping more people live independently with confidence.
