Selecting and implementing a digital social care record (DSCR) solution is a major achievement. Getting the very best of all its functions, to motivate teams and improve care, is where the magic really happens.

Communications and engagement lead for the Digitising Social Care (DiSC) programme, Stephanie Nimmo, explains how to make the most of your digital care tech.

My favourite thing about my job is getting out and about and hearing from the amazing people who work in adult social care.

We launched our ‘Clock is Ticking’ campaign in spring, highlighting the benefits of switching from paper to digital social care records (DSCRs) and the need to secure funding while it lasts.

This month we’re on the road again at the Care Show in Birmingham, and we’ll be asking delegates two questions: have you made the switch, and are you making the most of it?

We weren’t all born into a world where we touched the screen of a digital device before we took our first step. When I got my first smartphone I was pressed for time, juggling work and family and, frankly, bamboozled. I didn’t have the time or energy to make the most of it. I used to liken it to having a Michelin-starred chef in my kitchen and asking for beans on toast. But eventually I started to explore the phone’s functions and uses and now, like most of us, go into minor panic when I can’t locate it within about 30 seconds.

Judging by the conversations I’ve had with many of the leaders and colleagues in adult social care, their experience with setting up digital social care records is not dissimilar. Once they have researched, selected and adopted a digital social care record solution, and then trained staff to get it up and running, they don’t always have the time or resource to explore each and every function available.

Of course, the majority of suppliers will guide providers through their solution and all that it can do. You can find DiSC’s list of assured solutions on our website. But it can take time to explore how the additional functions can offer additional support to you, your team and most importantly the people in your care and their families.

Using a ‘family portal’ function allows families to stay up to date on everything from personal care and medical support to daily mood and emotional wellbeing. Recent research has shown this is one of the biggest priorities for registered managers, staff and families. Keeping in touch with care delivery digitally, for example through a mobile app, means family members can check in at any time and from anywhere, to see how their loved one is doing.

Access to vital medical information through digital social care records has also been revolutionary for care teams. The GP Connect function allows appropriate staff in Care Quality Commission-registered (CQC) care providers access to a restricted view of a person’s GP record, ensuring they have up-to-date information to support the delivery of safe, person-centred care and includes real-time information about medication changes. It’s been nothing short of “amazing” according to one care home-owner and registered nurse manager.

Staff have started using the voice-to-text function in many digital social care record solutions. This offers a double benefit: up-to-the-minute, on-the-spot record keeping and care planning, as opposed to a pile of paperwork to deal with at the end of a shift, with extra time saved from not having to type in the information. This has also proven to be hugely valuable for care staff with neurodiversity, allowing them to dictate observations and plans directly into their mobile device instead of trying to structure a written update.

Introducing digital champions into your organisation can be a great way to not only support the wider team to work with new digital solutions, but to explore those tools to make sure you’re using them to their fullest potential. See DiSC’s guidance on digital champions on our website.

Wherever you are on your journey to digital, as well as making sure you’re getting the best out of the technology, make sure you’re getting the best out of funding and support. Funding won’t be around forever so make the most of it while you can. Reach out to your local team to find out how the process works in your area.