Funding for innovation in Wales has been announced, with this supporting the implementation of new technology in care.
Coming from the Welsh Government and the SBRI Centre of Excellence, two projects that will bring the public sector into collaboration with the private and third sectors to address challenges in domiciliary care will be backed by a total of £380,000 of funding.
Julie Morgan, Deputy Minister for Social Services, said:
“Social care and health continue to face increasing demands and challenges, including an ageing population.
“It is vital we adapt in order to deliver a system fit for the future. This includes making it easier for health and social care to work together in a joined-up way and for us to respect the vital role of family members and friends as unpaid carers.”
Bridgend County Borough Council and the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board will receive a total of £180,000 to support an initiative that will give people reminders of when they should be taking medication, as well as notifying a nomination friend or family member if a dose is missed. This will contribute to helping people live more independently.
The additional £200,000 of backing has been allocated to a new programme in Torfaen, Gwynedd and Denbighshire that will deliver a whole-system approach to health and care. Based around a dedicated IT system, the ‘From Time and Task to Fulfilled Lives’ approach will bring health and care professionals together to share information and bring together care delivery. The overall focus of this will be to empower people to have ‘more of a voice’ when it comes to the way that they are cared for.
Speaking about the new initiative, Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adults, Health, and Wellbeing at Cyngor Gwynedd, added:
“As a council, we are committed to supporting residents to live independently and with dignity for as long as possible in their own communities. We see the creative use of technology as key to this.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Welsh Government and the independent sector on this exciting trial which will support people to remain in control of their lives and their own care needs for as long as possible.”
Image credit: iStock
