London Borough of Sutton: Innovative social care delivery

1​0 October 2024

The London Borough of Sutton has long been a leader in innovative social care delivery. Confronted with the mounting challenges of an aging population, escalating care demands, limited budgets, and overworked staff, the borough realised that shifting from reactive care models to proactive, preventative solutions was crucial for the future of care delivery.

By 2032, the number of adults over 60 in Sutton is projected to increase by 31%, creating an urgent need to transform care services to meet growing demands without compromising quality. To address this, the borough sought a strategic partnership to digitally transform its care system, improving outcomes for residents, families, and care providers alike.

The Challenge

Historically, Sutton relied on basic telecare systems, such as pull cords and alarm buttons, which were only activated in emergencies. While useful, these reactive systems were limited, as they didn’t offer comprehensive insights into an individual’s daily wellbeing, often leaving health issues like falls undetected.

Sutton needed a solution that would support independent living while providing real-time, data-driven insights to detect early signs of health deterioration. Additionally, the system had to ease the burden on professional carers, provide families with peace of mind, and promote independence for vulnerable populations.

The Solution

To address these needs, Sutton partnered with Access Technology Enabled Care (TEC) and Medequip to implement the Access TEC Home Hub. This state-of-the-art platform combines advanced technology with data analytics to enhance care delivery. Key features of the system include:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Sensors: These sensors track individuals' daily routines and detect changes, such as increased bathroom visits or inactivity, which may signal potential health issues.

• Family Engagement App: The app allows family members and carers to receive real-time updates on a loved one’s wellbeing, offering reassurance when all is well and triggering alerts when intervention is needed.

• Integrated Response System: When behavior changes are detected, the system triggers welfare checks, such as Medequip’s 45-minute TEC Responder Service or the NHS 2-hour Urgent Community Response.

Sutton also established a community-based shop, co-branded with Age UK, Sutton Housing Partnership, and Medequip Connect. The shop offers training for professionals and residents, aiding the digital transition from analogue to digital telecare services and helping the community adapt to the new technology.

Outcomes

Since implementing Access TEC, Sutton has significantly improved care delivery and community wellbeing. The outcomes include:

1. Proactive Care and Enhanced Independence

With the ADL sensors and Access Assure Home Hub, residents no longer rely on outdated alarm systems. The technology continuously monitors their wellbeing in the background, allowing individuals to live more independently. For example, an increase in bathroom visits can prompt a health check, preventing undetected issues from escalating. This proactive care has reduced unnecessary hospital admissions and empowered residents to live with greater dignity and freedom.

1. Support for Families and Carers

The introduction of the Access Assure app has brought peace of mind to families by providing real-time insights into their loved one’s wellbeing, regardless of distance. This technology has shifted the focus from routine checks to more meaningful conversations, enhancing the emotional wellbeing of families and carers.

1. Community Training and Engagement

The community shop has been instrumental in promoting the acceptance of TEC. It serves as a space for training and learning, helping residents and professionals understand how the technology works and how it can improve care.

1. Financial Impact

Since the implementation of Access TEC in August 2023, Sutton has experienced substantial financial savings. The borough has saved over £241,000 by optimizing reablement care packages and £42,000 through the reuse of smoke detectors. Additionally, healthcare costs have been reduced by over £148,000, with 400 ambulance callouts avoided thanks to proactive monitoring.

1. Improved Professional Satisfaction

Access TEC has also benefited professional carers by automating routine checks and providing real-time data, allowing them to focus on more meaningful, person-centered care.

1. Data-Driven Care

The Access TEC platform’s dashboard and family app have enabled Sutton to use data more effectively. Carers and families can access actionable insights that guide informed care decisions, resulting in better outcomes for residents and improved resource allocation for the borough.

The Future

Sutton’s collaboration with Access TEC has transformed its approach to care, shifting from reactive models to proactive, technology-driven solutions. The borough’s investment in the Access TEC ecosystem has enhanced care delivery, reduced costs, and improved the quality of life for residents.

For more information on how Access TEC can help transform care in your community, contact us today.