TEC provider sponsors important ADASS and TSA assistive tech commission

Taking Care has announced its sponsorship and involvement in the ADASS (Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) and Telecare Services Association (TSA) joint assistive technology commission, which looks to improve access to technology solutions across social care.

Recognising the scope for better integration of technology and social care, the commission, which launched in November, aims to improve joint working between health, social care and housing and offer more preventative, responsive support, shaped around the individual.

ADASS and TSA have a shared ambition to create a roadmap for improving social care through better access to, and commissioning of, digital solutions and for the widespread normalisation of technology.

The assistive technology commission will consider the barriers and enablers to greater technology adoption and look at ways to galvanise social care commissioners and policymakers to use technology more readily and rapidly in order to solve common challenges around care, health and housing.

Key recommendations from the commission will be presented to the UK Government at its conclusion in March 2021. The aim of the final report is to present a series of clear, tangible recommendations to central and local government on how to scale up and mainstream the use of everyday devices, data insights and specialist technology to extend people’s healthy lifespans and enrich their lives.

Furthermore, the commission brings together key figures from adult social care, health and housing, including local authority directors of adult social services, chief executives from councils, care and housing bodies, and leaders from NHSX, Department of Health and Social Care, Local Government Association, plus TEC suppliers such as Tunstall Healthcare and now Taking Care.

Taking Care, a subsidiary of AXA Health, has been providing TEC services for more than 30 years.

Commenting on Taking Care’s involvement in the assistive technology commission, Steve Gates, Managing Director at Taking Care, said: “ADASS have very clearly identified in their report – “ADULT SOCIAL CARE – SHAPING A BETTER FUTURE- Nine Statements to Help Shape Adult Social Care Reform” – that technology enabled care has a real role to play in fulfilling the needs of local authorities, citizens and communities.

“By including TEC as one of their key areas of focus ADASS and the TSA now have an unrivalled opportunity, via this commission, to identify clear, practical and evidence-driven solutions that will plot the future for local commissioners, local authorities and national government.

“There is no question that there is a strong will to use technology in a new and different manner within the adult social services environment and to ensure that commissioners can benefit from advancements in the TEC field. This commission will therefore be focused around providing practical solutions for the key challenges faced by ADASS members, including their delivery of higher quality services within current budgets.

“Being part of AXA PPP Healthcare means we have access to health and technology insights that may be out of reach to other TEC providers and we look forward to sharing this expertise with the TSA and its members with the goal of improving TEC security nationwide.”