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  • 5 minutes with… Chris Donnelly, Aid Call

    Chris Donnelly Aid Call

    Chris Donnelly is the National Sales Manager for Aid Call, a brand of Legrand. Here he talks about the lack of funding in the sector, technological advancements and his desire to meet Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Jeremy Hunt…

    Tell us about your company, products and services.

    Aid Call, a brand of Legrand, has been leading the way in the design and manufacture of wireless Nurse Call technology for over 40 years, with bespoke products and solutions designed to meet the needs of care homes, hospices and hospitals.
    Our newest system, the Touchsafe Pro, does not rely on cables or stationary wiring points which allows for complete flexibility and mobility. It is tailored specifically to work within each individual site, with quick and undisruptive installation.
    Wireless configuration allows the system to adapt to the ever changing priorities and demands of the healthcare sector, which is reassuring at a time of increased pressure on resources and environments.
    Additional panels, call points and assistive devices can be added at any time and we offer an extensive range of assistive technology such as fall detectors to facilitate individual patient and resident requirements.

    What have been the biggest challenges the care industry has faced over the past 12 months?

    Two of biggest challenges the care industry has faced over the last 12 months are a lack of funding which is leading to financial pressures and an increased demand from care regulators to continuously improve performance.

    And what have been the biggest opportunities?

    The biggest opportunity within the care industry has been the advancements that have been made in technology over the past year. Technology that is used to assist with the provision of care now has the ability to automate services, which can reduce the time and cost spent on administration, allowing industry professionals to focus on the quality of care.

    What is the biggest priority for the care industry in 2018?
    The care industry is prioritising the facilitation of a more person centered approach to care, as opposed to the former ‘one size fits all’ model. With the average living age and the number of individuals considered vulnerable or at risk increasing daily, the structured systems that previously worked within the sector are no longer feasible for providing the quality of care required. Alternative methods and technology are therefore needed to meet the additional challenges arising.

    What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2018?
    Technology that has open protocols which support interoperability will become prominent in the market in 2018. A combination of connected technology will create package solutions that focus on the needs of individual’s, offering greater flexibility to effectively manage care staff and users at a time of increased pressure on the industry.

    What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this year?
    Wireless technology will have the biggest impact this year as it is offering care facilities the ability to expand their capabilities to meet the ever changing priorities of the healthcare market. Without the need to rely on cables or stationary wiring points, wireless systems are indefinitely expandable, as additional elements can be easily added if further support is required.

    In 2020 we’ll all be talking about…?
    In 2020 we’ll be talking about the ‘Internet of Things’ approach which describes all of the technology within a building being connected to provide fully automated healthcare facilities. Healthcare technology will work with other services in the coming years to form part of a bigger digital building solution.

    Which person in, or associated with, the care industry would you most like to meet?
    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Hunt, to ask him how he proposes to meet and fund the long-term care needs of an aging population.

    What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about the care industry?
    That it is still a caring industry; despite the challenging demands on the sector, it still remains a positive and caring environment with great things being achieved on a daily basis.

    What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
    Meeting the great people involved in the care sector.

    And what’s the most challenging?
    Remaining ‘on my toes’ and continuously innovating to develop products and services that help support this ever-evolving sector.

    What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
    “Whether you think you can or you can’t – you are right.”

    AUTHOR

    Stuart O'Brien

    All stories by: Stuart O'Brien

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