More than £1m available for innovative digital social care projects

31 Jan 2019 01:02 PM

Local authorities developing digital social care projects to be boosted by Social Care Digital Innovation Programme (SCDIP) funding.

Projects that support innovative uses of digital technology in the design and delivery of adult social care are set to share in over £1m funding, provided by NHS Digital and managed by the LGA.

Ten authorities will receive up to £30,000 to design a digital solution to address a specific issue with their service, with eight receiving up to a further £90,000 to support its implementation. The funding will run over two years.

Local authority bids should focus on one of the following three themes:

Previous projects funded have included exoskeleton devices to help carers on the Isle of Wight and the introduction of Amazon Alexa into people’s homes in Hampshire to combat isolation and encourage independent living.

Pam Garraway, Senior Responsible Officer for Social Care at NHS Digital said:

“Every year we see some truly innovative projects that take a creative digital approach to solving the challenges that local authorities face in social care.

“We are now looking forward to seeing the exciting proposals that will come forward in response to this round of funding.”

Mayor Kate Allsop, Deputy Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said:

“We are pleased to run the third wave of funding in collaboration with NHS Digital, to stimulate digital solutions to social care challenges at a local level. We have seen some exciting solutions over the last two years and I hope this funding encourages further innovation across the sector.”

Glen Garrod, President of ADASS said: “Digital technology needs and deserves to be an increasing part of our future. Local councils and partners can work together find their own solutions through the discovery phase and I look forward to seeing what emerges in 2019.”

The Social Care Digital Innovation Programme (SCDIP) encourages the adult social care sector to use technology to respond to challenges in their local area. It is intended to support direct practice, improve information sharing and enable integration. 

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Notes to editors

  1. NHS Digital is the national information and technology partner of the health and care system.  Our team of information analysis, technology and project management experts create, deliver and manage the crucial digital systems, services, products and standards upon which health and care professionals depend.  Our vision is to harness the power of information and technology to make health and care better.
  2. The Local Government Association works with councils to support, promote and improve local government.  The LGA is funded by NHS Digital to manage the Social Care Digital Innovation Programme.
  3. Deadline for expressions of interest: 4pm, 7 March 2019.
  4. Extra information on this year’s bid themes:
    1. Efficiency and strengths-based approaches: using digital channels to engage citizens and people accessing services in the design, development and delivery of health and social care processes.
    2. Managing markets and commissioning: using technology to support care providers with their digital maturity and improving the quality and range of care and support provisions.
    3. Sustainable and integrated social care and health systems: developing approaches to cross-sector working and ways of improving patient flow in and out of hospital.
  5. For media enquiries please contact media@nhsdigital.nhs.net or telephone 0300 30 33 888.