By Adam James Abrahami MCP, MA, BA (Hons), Director H2o Networks (Working with Care Providers for 25 years)
I recently assisted a care provider with 52 locations obtain 120k grant that was utilised to improve Internet, Wi-Fi connectivity that had been affecting both staff and residents. At the start, their coverage was only at 67%. We conducted surveys across all sites, focusing on the placement of Wi-Fi access points, internet speed, and care planning connectivity. After implementing the necessary changes, their coverage improved to 93–96% throughout the facilities. Staff no longer have to worry about dropped connections, and they can now use the eMAR system effectively. On top of that they have funding approved for Resident Monitoring and Tech innovations with enough budget left to support software and hardware upgrades.
Since we have been asked so many times any tips and tricks for other care providers, we have put together some key points that keep coming up with an update on funding.
This is a special mini guide for Finance Directors and Owner or CEOs.
As a care provider you have a unique opportunity to modernise operations, with grants from the NHS for private and non profit care providers this has been extended until March 2025 with 25 million pounds being made available. These grants, administered through local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), provide 70-80% of the first-year costs to support digital social care records (DSCR) but also Resident Monitoring Systems, eMar and tech innovations.
How will funding help our care organisations and what is available?
1. Funding – Digital Care Planning (DSCR)
If you already have this in place – you can still get funding for new care facilities without digital care planning or if you are in the process of opening new care sites.
2. Funding – Resident Monitoring or Nurse Call Systems
This has included motion detectors, sound monitoring with info going back into the digital care planning so the number of falls or ambulance visits are minimised.
3. Funding – eMar (electronic Medication Administration Records)
Implementing an eMar and the subscription for the first-year costs
4. Funding – Technology innovations
This would be a bespoke project of anything you wanted to do in tech to assist residents.
Funding has been awarded for Alexa like system to help the care of residents and integrate it into care planning, resident monitoring and assisting with requesting a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits for residents and visitors.
5. Funding – Internet and WIFI Infrastructure
The combination of NHS and local grants can fund better faster leased line or Satellite Internet system with new WIFI Access Points and Cabling being provided.
These are good examples of using the funding, but the truth is that being selective and rationale in terms of the solutions being implemented can make all the difference and make the money go further. The advice you get or what has worked in other care settings is very important.
How did you obtain up to 120K in funding?
The 120K of funding is made up of five areas and have come from different government pots of money and two of them are from the NHS. The others are from regional or local government grants.
The main one being the NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), formerly known as Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), play a crucial role in NHS funding and decision-making at the local level. These boards are responsible for planning and commissioning health and social care services across their designated regions, ensuring that resources align with the specific needs of local populations.
For Care Providers, ICBs serve as key partners in accessing funding opportunities, including grants for digital transformation projects. They are tasked with managing the distribution of NHS funding for programs such as Digital Social Care Records (DSCR) and resident monitoring systems. These initiatives aim to modernise care facilities, enhance efficiency, and improve the quality of care delivery.
ICBs with along with an IT partner and Digital Social Care can provide guidance on:
- Grant Eligibility: Helping care providers understand the requirements and criteria for funding, including projects involving eMAR systems, resident monitoring, and cybersecurity upgrades.
- Application Support: Assisting with the grant application process to ensure compliance with NHS standards and increasing the chances of success.
- Strategic Implementation: Offering advice on how to implement funded projects effectively, including integrating new technologies and adhering to security standards like the NHS DSP Toolkit and Cyber Essentials.
By working closely with ICBs, care providers can secure vital funding and expertise, enabling them to transform their digital infrastructure and enhance operational resilience.
We have care homes across the country which ICB do we have to contact?
The ICB’s are location by region, therefore it is encouraged to contact one region and mention that you have care sites in other regions. Please note that some regions are better than others and often the grants or funding they offer will be different. Therefore, it is worth have an IT partner or consultant that has dealt with different ICBs over the years to help get the funding that you require.
When we contacted our ICB, they said they wouldn’t cover WIFI or Infrastructure upgrades?
As mentioned some ICBs will cover WIFI upgrades and others won’t. It depends on the specific ICB and the priority that they have at that time. Its about knowing which ICB’s would be better to contact and you might not know that when you first start this process.
Did some of the £120k in funding improve Internet if our Internet is terrible?
These have been regional improvement grants for business development, Internet rural connectivity grants and innovations in technology. If any care providers are having these issues, then the other grants can cover Satellite Internet, Leased Line Installs and improvements to your care business
How did the WIFI coverage go from 67% to 97% so quickly?
This had been achieved by adding newer WIFI Access Points but less of them had been required. In addition if any WIFI access points needed to be re-positioned, then any new cabling that needed to be run, this had been carried out by maintenance staff already employed. This meant it was a lot quicker, and funding could be allocated to hardware instead of contractor labour costs.
It is also worth mentioning that costs can be saved by having Ubiquiti Access Points, Switches and Routers. By having Ubiquiti a saving of £800 – 1200 per annum can be saved on Firewall and WIFI Access Point ongoing costs.
What other Tech Innovations are care providers taking advantage of right now?
Since the WIFI is so critical and part of the digital care planning, this means that the handheld devices can now be used for telephony. This replaces existing telephone equipment which is not necessary. It has also removed unnecessary operating costs such as repairs, engineer call outs and monthly maintenance costs. The staff each have a digital care planning device that is a telephone to call 999 or 111. One Care Group managed to save just under £3k per month on their existing phone services. This is how you make the funding go further by replacing costly services with newer better lower cost alternatives.
How can I secure funding like you did?
The best way is to initially reach out to your local ICB or Digital Social Care provider.
Find out what is available but also have a clear view of what you want to achieve and see what is possible. If you don’t get the funding you expect, then reach out to us and we can share how we have done it.
Can you outline a step by step in getting funding
Step 1: Identify Your Local ICB
Every care home is part of an Integrated Care System (ICS), overseen by a local ICB.
- Visit the NHS ICS website or contact your local council to find your ICB’s contact details.
- Each ICB has its own priorities, so understanding their specific goals will help tailor your application.
Step 2: Review Funding Opportunities
ICBs manage grants for various projects, including:
- Digital Social Care Records (DSCR): Transitioning from paper to digital record-keeping.
- eMAR Systems: Digitizing medication administration records for accuracy and efficiency.
- Resident Monitoring Systems: Technologies for remote health monitoring.
- WiFi Infrastructure: Upgrading connectivity to meet NHS DSP Toolkit and Cyber Essentials standards.
ICBs also administer grants for rural facilities to improve Internet access. Contact your ICB to confirm what’s available.
Step 3: Assess Your Needs
- Conduct an internal audit to identify digital transformation priorities.
- Align your needs with the funding criteria. For example, demonstrate how your project improves efficiency, compliance, or care quality.
Step 4: Prepare Your Application
- Work with your ICB to ensure your application meets their requirements.
- Include detailed plans for implementation, such as the separation of staff and resident WiFi networks, and align your goals with NHS standards like the DSP Toolkit.
- You will need to have quotes from the supplier to submit before funding is approved
Step 5: Submit and Follow Up
- Submit your application through the ICB’s designated portal or contact point.
- Maintain regular communication with your ICB to track the status of your application and address any queries promptly.
- The funding has to be agreed before the end of March 2025 deadline at the moment, unless this gets extended.
Step 6: Implementation and Reporting
Once funding is approved:
- Work with your ICB for guidance on implementing funded projects effectively.
- Provide progress reports as required, ensuring compliance with funding terms.
Additional Tips
- Collaborate Locally: Partner with other care homes in your area to share best practices and success stories.
- Leverage Suppliers: Work with trusted suppliers like Bupa for eMAR implementation and medication sourcing.
By engaging with your local ICB and or IT Partner and leveraging available grants, each care home can secure the funding needed to transform digitally, ensuring better care quality and operational security.
Adam James Abrahami MCP, MA, BA (Hons) works with Care Providers such as the Bondcare Group and Care Worldwide for the last 25 years to directly ensure grants have the effect of improving WIFI and network connectivity without spending too much.
How is your Internet and WIFI now? if it is not what you would like, then let Adam know the issues and Adam has probably solved it with a previous client and you could benefit from this knowledge.
If you are having problems getting the funding you want, then please reach out to Adam James Abrahami from H2o Networks Phone: 020 8905 3333 Email: adam@h2o-networks.co.uk
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
