Leading Lives is proud to announce that we are having a bespoke Digital Operating System developed to improve how we work and support people, this is part of our commitment to a five-year digital transformation programme. We will be moving all our paper-based tasks and activities over to a new digital operating system.
The name of this system is DISCO (Digital Individual Support and Care Organiser) and it will house Customer Database, all customer Care & Support Plans and all our operational forms and processes in one secure digital system which is accessed via computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones. DISCO will be fully compliant with data protection law. Only employees with agreed permissions will access customer information and data.
Why are we Going Digital?
As the NHSX Social Care Technology & Digital Review 2021 says: “Digital technologies have the potential to improve social care. They can free up the time care workers currently spend on administration tasks, allowing for more face-to-face care. And they can help care providers to operate more efficiently, so they can do more to look after those they support and their employees.”
There is a local and national message for all health and social care providers to use technology and digital innovation to improve their services. As part of our contractual agreement with Suffolk County Council and the Care Quality Commission we are expected to demonstrate how are using new technology and digital innovation to improve our services. Leading Lives is committed to saving the environment and reducing carbon emissions, going digital and using less paper is better for the environment.
This is a five-year phased project plan, and we are working with a local tech company called PC Futures to develop the software and operating systems required. The customer database and digital care plans are the first functions of DISCO to go live, and we have started implementation in some of our housing support services. Over the next few months and into 2023, we will roll out DISCO in Hubs, Short Breaks and Supported Independence (Domiciliary) services.
This is a large project and some of the time scales may change. However, eventually we will have a secure customer portal which means customers and carers can access their care and support plan information via smart phone, laptop or tablets if they wish. We will keep you informed as this function is developed and let you know when it is ready to use.
We are providing training and support for our employees to use DISCO. We are listening to employees and customers feedback and comments so we can make the necessary changes to improve the system as it is being developed.
As part of our commitment to accessible information we have had an Easy Read document created that explains about DISCO and our Digital Transformation. Please follow the link and share with anyone you think might need it: https://indd.adobe.com/view/0b6142f2-2b0c-416c-959e-e373ecff3d61
This is an exciting part of our Leading Lives journey, and we look forward to sharing it with you.
