Kent Help to Care Mobile App

Project description

Help to Care is an innovative new, free mobile phone app. It is designed to help people spot the signs of a problem and find the right information and advice if they are worried about someone’s health and wellbeing.

What does the app include

It includes helpful guides, advice and training videos on common health conditions, such as diabetes, urinary tract infections and respiratory conditions.
Information on the fundamental elements of care including referral to health, social care and voluntary sector services.

Evidence suggests four in ten emergency hospital admissions are avoidable if the right care is provided outside of hospital. Despite being ideally placed to identify early signs of deterioration, care workers and carers have inconsistent access to the information, to take preventative action.

Background info

The project was inspired by the Stop Look Care booklet created by Brighton and Hove CCG. The app can be used in care homes, across domiciliary workforce, personal assistants and unpaid carers.
It has been created by The Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP), is the latest digital innovation from the NHS and social care in Kent and Medway.

What was your response to Covid-19?

The app was not created in direct response to Covid-19, it was prioritised to support self-management and appropriate referral during the pandemic and beyond. The app was adapted to include signposting to national guidance on coronavirus.

The app was designed to be free because we wanted to support consistency of practice that wasn’t dependent on commissioning decisions or budgets.

The care certificate is the professional standard for care workers, completion isn’t mandatory which can lead to inconsistent training standards. The app is a scalable product that can be used across different care settings.

The Design and Learning Centre has worked in partnership with our local STP to support the social care sector to access this healthcare information using our networks with carers support organisation and care providers and the solution itself has been co-produced with carers.

What was the impact and benefit for people?

Over 1600 people have already downloaded the product. User interviews have shown it increases confidence, reassures people they are delivering great care, and helps them consider the fundamentals of care they may otherwise have overlooked.

It has delivered benefits to the health and social care system and the cared for with examples including:

infections have been identified and treated early,
access to mental health support,
safer, more effective, personal care,
improved inhaler technique with less healthcare contacts.

Is the solution sustainable post-Covid?

Yes, the Help to Care app is an integral part of the Kent and Medway long term plan and is intended to support our local care model following the pandemic.

More information

Email us at designandlearningcentre@kent.gov.uk for more information