Digital transformation in adult social care could save the NHS 10-Year Plan

A new white paper has been released by techUK’s Social Care Working Group. Titled Why digital adult social care transformation is central to the future of the NHS, it argues that the success of the NHS 10-Year Plan depends on modernising adult social care in homes and communities. The paper was launched at techUK’s first CareTech conference. It highlights that the technologies needed for this change, such as predictive monitoring and AI-enabled decision support, are already in use and well developed.

However, the document points out a missing coordination layer. This includes aligned commissioning and consolidated data standards to make these solutions more effective. The paper calls for joint action by different stakeholders to implement and scale these innovations.

Contributions come from industry leaders like Civica and Tunstall. Case studies from organisations such as Kyndi, Lilli, and Medway Council are also featured. The foreword, written by Sir David Pearson CBE, chair of TEC Quality, stresses the potential of digital solutions to improve social care, health, and housing.

To fund these changes, the paper suggests redirecting and pooling existing resources. It recommends investing in prevention where the impact would be greatest. The white paper urges a collective push to adopt and expand digital solutions in adult social care. It states that without this transformation, the NHS 10-Year Plan’s key shifts will struggle to succeed. The document provides a roadmap for stakeholders to work together on this goal.