The second phase has been launched of a national pilot to provide pain support for care home residents in Scotland.

The move, which follows the Care Inspectorate’s publication of its Quality Improvement Plan for 2023/4, will see the trialling of PainChek® at 15 care homes to assess its effect on medication usage and quality of life for care home residents, as well as its adoptability and longer-term sustainability.

Following a successful second phase, the third phase may include a potential rollout of PainChek® to more than 35,000 beds in care homes across Scotland. Phase four will potentially extend the rollout to additional social care services across the country.

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate told Caring Times: “The Care Inspectorate is committed to supporting services across Scotland to provide the best possible care for everyone, respecting their needs, rights and choices. However, some people experiencing care find it more difficult to communicate their needs than others, and digital innovation can help to ensure that everyone receives the help and support they need.  

“During the initial small-scale pilot of PainChek® we have seen the device support staff to undertake pain assessments more easily for care home residents, a significant increase in the number of assessments completed, more appropriate use of pain medication plus a general reduction in the prescribed rate of pain medication.  

“Quality of life outcome data analysed to date in a small number of people shows a reduction in falls and an increase in weight over the data collection period.  

“Phase two is a test with more (around 15) and varied (type and size) of care services to gather more information on the effect on defined medication and quality of life outcomes, as well as valuable information on adoptability and sustainability of the technology.  

“Phase two will include tests in different user settings, service types, user groups and geographical locations.  

“We welcome the use of innovation and technology to help support people to experience the best possible care. This device should enable more appropriate use of medication and improved quality of life for care home residents. In future the device may also be able to support detection of pain in young children who are unable to adequately communicate pain.”  

“We will consider the findings and if successful further roll-out of the device across other services may be proposed.” 

PainChek’s head of business development UK&I, Tandeep Gill, said: “By achieving positive outcomes for care home residents and the care staff involved, we hope to gain the opportunity for a broader government-funded rollout across Scotland.”