Health Technology Wales has embarked on a search for technology with the potential to transform Wales’ social sector.
It has launched a social care open topic call requesting that technologies and models of care and support that offer benefits to those who use social care are referred to them for assessment.
Health Technology Wales, which appraises evidence and produces national guidance to inform the adoption of technologies within Welsh Care Systems, is inviting people accessing social care, social care professionals, researchers, technology developers and members of the public to submit their ideas by February 25th 2022.
These ideas could include support programmes, devices, therapies and any other technologies or models of care and support that could improve the lives of those accessing social care in Wales.
HTW’s team of researchers will assess the evidence available on the social care topics submitted and a decision will be made on whether there is sufficient evidence to publish guidance that may support adoption of the technology for use in Wales.
Chief Social Care Officer for Wales, Albert Heaney, said:
“Social care is a vital part of our community and makes a big difference to people’s lives all across Wales. People who have experienced the care system first-hand are often best placed to think of innovative ways we can improve support for carers, the people being cared for and their families. I encourage anyone with an idea on how we can transform social care to submit their ideas and help us continue to make people receiving social care to feel respected and valued as the individual that they are.”
A recent example of a social care topic that HTW has provided guidance on is START – an eight-week psychological support programme for carers of people with dementia which has been shown to reduce levels of depression and anxiety. HTW’s guidance concluded that the available evidence supported the adoption of the START programme in Wales, noting that it should be available to carers of those with dementia.
Susan Myles, Director of Health Technology Wales, explained why the organisation is so keen to continue researching ways to support the social care sector in Wales.
“Millions of people across Wales rely on the social care sector to support them and their families – from older people, people with disabilities and looked after children and young people. As an organisation we can use our expertise to support the social care sector to adopt the technologies that offer the most benefit and the best possible care for the people of Wales.
“Anybody can submit a topic to Health Technology Wales. They don’t need to be an expert in the field. We very much welcome submissions from those accessing social care support and their families.”
Sue Evans, Chief Executive of Social Care Wales, added:
“Using the best evidence to inform how we deliver care and support is essential to make sure we deliver the best outcomes for citizens. We’re delighted to be working together with Health Technology Wales, who bring a wealth of skills and experience to evaluating and appraising new and different ways of working and new technology. They are uniquely placed to support social care in Wales.”
Health Technology Wales’ remit covers non-medicine health and social care technologies which can include support programmes, devices, diagnostic tests, psychological therapies and changes in support pathways.
Professor Peter Groves, Chairman of Health Technology Wales, said:
“It is important that Health Technology Wales does all it can to ensure that those who access social care services in Wales are provided with support that, evidence tells us, is the most effective and represents the best use of resources. In order to discharge this responsibility, it is important that HTW are made aware of what the best options and opportunities might be. We therefore call on all f those who use or deliver social care services to consider if there are new or under-utilised approaches that they are aware of which may deliver a step change improvement in the delivery of care. If there are please let us know and use this topic call as an opportunity to engage with us in the interest of improving the lives of people across Wales.”
