An initiative to improve healthcare for residents in care homes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) has been shortlisted for the 2024 HSJ Digital Awards, recognising innovative digital projects which transform care delivery, enhance efficiency and improve patient outcomes.
The Connected Care Programme was developed jointly between the LLR Integrated Care Board, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council.
The programme uses remote technology to reduce avoidable hospital admissions for residents of care homes, by enabling staff to recognise deterioration early, escalate their worries and concerns and receive a timely response from a health professional.
This has meant that care home residents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are enabled to live as well as possible for as long as possible.
Following the thorough judging process, the Connected Care Programme was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held on 6 June 2024, standing out as a real ‘success story’ worthy of a prized place on the panel’s shortlist.
This award is a tribute to the hard work of colleagues in health and social care across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland supporting care home residents to be cared for away from hospital.
We know that people generally fare better in their own surroundings and we try to avoid hospital admissions unless absolutely necessary. A key strategy for the local NHS, known as home first, means that before a patient is admitted to hospital, care providers should always consider whether the patient can be treated at home rather than in hospital.
We’re really proud of the work we have done and the recognition reinforces for us that we are making a positive change for the people we care for.
Person:Kerry Kaur, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board
Kim Sorsky, director of adult services and health at Rutland County Council, said: “Innovation and making best use of technology play a vital role in helping us provide the best possible care and support for people who need it.
"The Connected Care Programme is a great example of this, where embracing new technology is helping frontline care staff and providers monitor the health of their residents and intervene quickly, if this starts to deteriorate.
"Prevention is always better than cure and early identification is absolutely critical to a successful preventative approach.”
The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Manchester Central on 6 June 2024.
The 2024 HSJ Digital Awards judging panel was made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including; Olubukola (Buki) Adeyemo, Chief Executive, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, Hatim Abdulhussein, National Clinical Lead, AI and Digital Workforce (WT&E), NHS England, Dame Margaret Whitehead, Chair, Independent Review Equity in Medical Devices and Luke Readman, Regional Director of Digital Transformation, NHS England (London). The full list of nominees for the 2024 HSJ Digital Awards.