Will the NHS’s New Look Speed Up AI Adoption in Integrated Social Care?

Liam Palmer, CEO & Founder

The landscape of healthcare in the UK is undergoing drastic change. With the recent restructuring of the NHS and the removal of NHS England as a central body, the focus is on streamlining operations, improving care delivery and making the system more efficient and responsive to the needs of an ageing population.

As the NHS grapples with these changes, one critical question arises: will AI play a pivotal role in supporting integrated social care, and if so, how quickly should the NHS embrace it?

The Need for Change in Social Care: A Perfect Storm

The community care sector, particularly social care, is under immense pressure. Recent fiscal challenges, such as National Insurance hikes and the increasing demand for care services, have compounded the sector’s long-standing issues.

According to a report in 2022, the UK had a staggering 165,000 vacancies across adult social care [i], with recruitment and retention proving to be a constant challenge. Moreover, as the population ages and the incidence of chronic illness and co-morbidities rises, the demand for care is intensifying.

For the NHS to effectively meet these demands, it will need to accelerate its adoption of AI tools, particularly in areas like care planning, workforce management and real-time support for caregivers. While back in 2023 the NHS announced a £21 million fund to diagnose and treat patients more quickly [ii], reports indicate the positive impact is yet to be fully felt. The Health Service Journal last month reported that “AI holds the promise of being a major boon to the NHS. But so far, we have not seen AI have the impact that it has promised.”

The opportunity needs to be embraced because the potential is there for all to see.

The Silver Bullet the Care Industry Needed

I have witnessed firsthand the power of technology in transforming the care sector. The reduction in paper-based processes and the rise of digital solutions for everything from scheduling and medication management to incident reporting and fall prevention have already shown significant improvements in operational efficiency. However, the real potential lies in AI.

The digital health sector in the UKis flourishing. There were more than 3,000 UK-based AI companies generating over £10bn in revenue in 2023 [iii], while UK health tech startups raised £2.3bn alone in 2024 [iv].

The opportunity is real, and the potential is enormous, but adoption remains slow. Whether it’s due to public trust, fragmented policies, or red tape, AI is not being scaled quickly across the NHS.

Despite this, Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, has been firm in his stance, it is time for the NHS to embrace AI, with the organisations out there offering game-changing technology, it is easy to see why.

CareBrain is a new AI-powered app designed specifically for the care sector. Developed by professionals and built by AI specialists, it addresses the challenges facing care providers today. Features include its ability to answer user queries from voice or text. CareBrain is set to elevate care standards, reduce admin, improve efficiency and help to increase engagement from staff and residents alike.

Careberry is a digital system that simplifies and streamlines care management processes for care businesses. It offers a range of features that cover various aspects of care management, including care planning and communication tools.  Careberry is accessible to management teams, clients, families and carers, making it an all-in-one solution for the entire organisation.

CarePoint365 is a Care Management Software built into Microsoft Teams, providing Enquiry Management, HR, Rostering, Maintenance and Care Planning. CarePoint365 is fully configurable by you without the need for any development an also provides IT Services and Support for Care Pro.

Benefits of AI for Integrated Care

Reducing the Administrative Burden and Improving Job Satisfaction

Care workers often face long hours and high levels of stress. The nature of their work demands not only medical expertise but also emotional intelligence and communication skills. Unfortunately, many care staff are bogged down by administrative tasks that take time away from the people they are meant to serve. By automating repetitive tasks such as scheduling, incident reporting and care planning, AI can reduce this administrative burden. This gives care staff more time to focus on meaningful, patient-centred work, leading to improved job satisfaction and a more fulfilling work experience.

AI as a Long-Term Solution for Care Staffing Challenges

The shortage of qualified care workers is an ongoing challenge for the NHS, and as the population continues to age, demand for services will only increase. AI-driven tools can help address staffing challenges by providing care staff, whether experienced or new, with comprehensive care plans, real-time updates and guidance. This support ensures that care is consistently delivered at a high standard and reduces the strain on staff, improving both retention and recruitment rates.

Enhancing Care Personalisation

As administrative tasks are streamlined, AI can also help tailor care to the individual needs of each patient. By analysing personal data such as medical history, preferences and daily routines, AI can generate customised care plans for residents in care homes or patients receiving domiciliary care. This personalised approach not only improve patient satisfaction but also leads to better health outcomes.

Supporting Remote Monitoring and Early Intervention

AI-powered devices and sensors can enable continuous remote monitoring of patients, particularly in domiciliary care settings. These tools can track vital signs, mobility and other health indicators in real-time, alerting caregivers to any changes or potential issues. Early detection of health problems leads to quicker interventions, reducing hospital admissions and preventing serious health complications. This also provides peace of mind to patients and their families, knowing that care is being monitored at all times.

The Road Ahead: Embracing Technology to Transform Care

There is no doubt about the enormous potential for AI to transform care, and in answering our opening question, there is no doubt it will play a central role in care provision moving forward, the NHS should embrace it as swiftly as possible.

The solutions mentioned earlier offer a glimpse of what the future of care can look like, a future where technology and human connection work hand in hand to deliver the best possible care to those who need it most. It is at a time when the sector faces critical issues, what better time to introduce a way of creating efficiencies, saving time and improving workforce retention and job satisfaction?

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References

[i] Community Care [ii] UK Gov [iii] UK Gov [iv] Tech.eu