Digitising Social Care (DISC) in the Black Country

Health and care partners are working with social care providers in the Black Country to implement a move from paper records to an electronic form of record keeping and care planning known as a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR).

Along with partners from local Councils, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) will use funding from the national digitising social care programme to support social care providers in the Black Country to:

increase the uptake of digital social care records, also known as digital care plans
ensure data is captured at the point of care and can be shared between care settings
roll-out sensor-based falls prevention and detection technologies for those most at risk of falls, to reduce the frequency and severity of falls-related injuries resulting in hospital admissions
test other care technologies based on local need to further develop our understanding of what works.

The introduction of digital technologies aims to dramatically improve the quality and safety of care, with real time data being shared across the NHS. This ensures people receive the right care, at the right time, and the right people have access to the information they need. Having a DSCR will also enable future connectivity to local Shared Care Records resulting in joined up health and social care.

If you are social care provider in the Black Country and are interested in learning about what funding is available, and how you could be supported through the selection and purchasing process, please visit the links below for more information.

West Midlands Care Association (WMCA) is working in association with Black Country ICS to deliver funding to support the roll out of Digital Social Care Records and Sensor Based Falls Prevention and Detection technology. Funding is available to Black Country CQC registered adult social care providers in the four boroughs.

See below for information on how to begin the claims process and apply.

Once you have decided on your assured supplier and negotiated your package you can begin the claims process.

West Midlands Care Association are managing elements of the claims and payment process on behalf of the Black Country ICS.

What you need to do:

The funding can be accessed once you have your quote for the costs of the implementation of your chosen DSCR assured system. The list of these systems, (including contact details and where to get demos from the suppliers) can be found here: https://www.digitalsocialcare.co.uk/social-care-technology/digital-social-care-records-dynamic-purchasing-system/assured-solution-list/

If you are already using one of these assured systems and haven’t had any funding to support this, please contact bcicb.digitalsocialcare@nhs.net.

Funding can be used towards implementation costs: software, training, and licences in the first year only and does not include any bolt on modules (e.g. rostering); it also covers your staff costs for implementing the system.

The funding cannot be used for any Infrastructure, connectivity, and devices unless they are required to support the implementation of your chosen DSCR.

To begin the process, you must first complete an Expression of interest (EOI)

This is just to let us know that you intend to apply for funding so we can allocate funding for you.

Once you have decided on your supplier and negotiated your package you can begin the claims process.

West Midlands Care Association are managing elements of the claims and payment process on behalf of the Black Country ICB.

What you need to do:

The funding can be accessed once you have your quote for the costs of the pilot confirmed by your SBFPD supplier.

Funding can be used towards implementation costs: software, training, and licences for the duration of the 1-year pilot; it also covers your staff costs for implementing the system.

The funding cannot be used for any additional Infrastructure, connectivity, and devices unless these are essential to enable the pilot to proceed.

To begin the process, you must first complete an Expression of interest (EOI)

This is just to let us know that you intend to apply for funding so we can keep in touch with you whilst you prepare your application.

Once we have received your EOI we will confirm receipt and you can begin your funding application.

Download the Grant Application pack (Digital Social Care Records)

Download the Grant Application pack (Sensor-Based Falls Prevention/Detection Technology)

The packs explain step by step what you need to do to complete the process and the necessary links to the Grant Application Form and Baseline Benefits return.

Once your application has been submitted we will email you a completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which you will need to sign.

Once we have received your signed MOU, we will check it and get back to you should we need any further clarification.

We would normally expect your claim to be authorised and processed with 20 working days of receipt unless further clarification is needed.

The funds will be paid in 3 amounts:

80% once the claim is authorised
10% 6 months after the funding agreement once we have received your completed 6 months Benefits return
10% 12 months after the funding agreement once we have received your completed 12 months Benefits return

The funds will be paid by the West Midlands Care Association on behalf of the Black Country ICS.