Day 2 at the Excel Care Show is shaping up to be quite eventful. Our stand is bustling with enquiries and demonstrations, making it a busy day for everyone involved. It has been a delight to connect with some of our wonderful CareLineLive customers which always adds to the experience.
Like yesterday (read my Despatches here), I have been attending talks and have some great snippets of what’s been on offer. In addition I have a an update from CQC and will give you an outline here with a more comprehensive blog to follow.
What’s piqued my interest today?
Again AI has been a focal point and a talk from Dr Charles Armitage was fascinating.
Using workforce technology and AI to maximise your profits
Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, are not only intuitive but also significantly enhance efficiency in various business operations. You might wonder how this is possible. The answer is straightforward, AI can streamline daily processes, leading to greater efficiency.
Dr Armitage emphasised that overlooking the evident advantages of AI could result in substantial financial and resource losses.
Top takeaways included:
- Have the curiosity to leverage AI
- Automate jobs that are done daily
- Be clear and specific with your requirements
- Define your desired goal
- Give your chosen AI platform context
Empower your employees at all levels of your organisation to harness the potential of AI in their roles. Encourage them to engage in problem-solving and to develop a practical knowledge base that benefits the entire team
Here are some useful platforms worth exploring:
- ChatGPT
- Gemini
- Claude
- Conveyor
The more information that you input the more you will get out!
Enjoy your AI exploration!
CQC update
Next up was a long awaited for update from CQC’s James Bullion CBE – Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care.
James Bullion recognised that the past year has been quite a rollercoaster. This culminated in the regulator’s realisation that there is a pressing need to rebuild expertise within the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Furthermore, he noted that the introduction of new technology has not gone as planned and that their prognosis indicates a strong necessity to collaborate closely with all stakeholders moving forward.
Key takeaways:
- Summer 2025 CQC will release sector specific guidance
- Autumn 2025 there will be a substantial update on the Single Assessment Framework
- The backlog of 500 reports being ‘stuck’ in the system has reduced
- The backlog of registrations has been reduced, with 25% of registrations going over the 10 week registration process. It was reiterated that this figure in the main, is down to complications with some registrations
- CQC has their 10 year plan which has now been published
Stay tuned for more information! Keep an eye out for our detailed update coming soon!
A final highlight was a panel discussion focused on sustainable and innovative approaches to business practices.
Sustainable care: How to put environmental and social policy into practice
The panel discussion centred on the critical themes of environmental sustainability and governance (ESG). The dialogue explored the interconnectedness of people, planet and profit, highlighting the innovative approaches emerging across the sector that contribute to best practices in these areas.
Key insights:
- Understanding that with appropriate support and empowerment, teams have the potential to manage themselves effectively
- Holistic care is currently being trialled at Bellivie Care, where one staff member is dedicated to each client, ensuring personalised attention and support
- Teams are being empowered to have firm environmental knowledge and to understand the impact of their carbon footprint
- Some providers are actively engaging with their clients to promote sustainable practices, demonstrating how these initiatives can positively influence their financial outcomes
- Using AI to measure their environmental impact
- Ensuring due diligence to evidence sustainable practices
There was a strong emphasis on integrating ESG into the company culture in a way that is enjoyable, engaging, and above all interesting.
We’re attending a multitude of events over the coming month were you’ll be able to talk to the team and view our award winning software, If you’d like an free no obligation demo you can book one here.
What’s next for the Digitising Social Care Program?
Moving back to technology, Chris Elkington who heads up the interoperability workstream at NHS England gave a presentation on the future of Digitising Social Care. At the start of this program only 40% of providers were using digital tools and now over 75% have adopted digital social care records with some 85% of people supported by CQC providers having a DSCR.
That initiative included the roll out of GP Connect, which has benefited providers by saving them many hours waiting on GP surgeries for crucial service user information and test results and MODS (the Minimum Operational Data Standard which is an important interoperability feature which CareLineLive is also currently developing).
The next step in the process is a significant piece of work – the Social Care Interoperability Platform (SCIP). NHS England is currently developing SCIP as a central point of consolidation between health and social care records which will enable providers to access all relevant service user information held across health and social care and will integrate with the NHS app and many other separately controlled data platformed.
The result will be better connected services without the kind of fragmentation currently experienced, seamless data exchange, enhanced continuity of care and improved quality of care. Providers, the NHS and social services will enjoy increased efficiencies and cost reductions whilst also being able to access data driven insights and better forecasting for future resource allocation.
An ambitious early deadline of March 2026 has been set for an initial base system to be ready. We wish Chris and his team godspeed in their work – it sounds like a much needed project that has the potential to transform processes in health and social care across the board.
