Transitioning your Care Home business to Digital and the significance of ISO accreditation

Care home administration platforms continue to evolve with some platforms adopting the ‘ISO27001’ standard demonstrating continuous improvement for information security management systems. 

Ownacarehome partner, Nourish, being ISO27001 certified ensures that they consider risks and have action plans to “mitigate.” 

In their recent insight talking about ISO standards relevant to the care home sector, Ownacarehome and Buyacarehome partner, Citation, highlighted key ISO standards for your care home operability. 

Managing data risk 

The move to digital can only strengthen risk management related to the security of data owned and utilised by a care home provider, with GDPR best practice and compliance an area that the Regulator will assess through inspection or other data gathering means. 

Risk management around cyber-attacks also provides evidence for your care home insurance cover that you have an active risk management strategy as part of your service governance. 

Utilising the ‘Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)’ continues to be updated with “all staff” to have “an appropriate understanding of information governance and cyber security” (NHS England). 

Digital Reception 

I first came across Digital Reception in use by a care home provider in Hampshire, known for their inhouse innovation and pre pandemic, thus it came as no surprise to me that the idea of digital reception has progressed, as a hands free and GDPR compliant reception system. 

Skills for Care 

As we head towards the Government deadline of March 2024, Skills for Care have announced that they are running a campaign to further support all who work in social care become more confident with the transition to digital technology, which is encompassing people working in social care. 

Digital innovation continues to escalate with emerging technologies and advances in life sciences.  Digital advances are an important part of the journey towards a greener world and forms an important part of the ESG process, which can only gather pace as we look towards 2024 and fresh beginnings. 

ESG reporting 

Digital is a key aspect of ESG reporting with the challenge remaining of how to measure progress and a return on any investment as part of the journey to Net Zero.   

However, early adoption of ESG practices is seen as a positive move towards business operational efficiency thus leaving room for continued business development, enhancing a care provider’s brand and reputation. 

Turning ESG on its head and seeing it as an opportunity as opposed to a further compliance challenge will strengthen the governance and sustainability of a care home’s current and long term future, providing a strong impetus as care home owners begin their adoption of the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework. 

Ownacarehome partner Advantage Buying continue to support care home providers on their ESG journey with their focus on “cutting any spending waste.” (Co Founder Nick Brookes). 

Digital technology and its adoption within a care home service is a key factor within a care provider’s ESG strategy and I anticipate many a debate as we move towards another year in a sector remaining resilient despite the challenges.