Social Careline provides an innovative telecare service delivered through a web application that enables care messages to be delivered to the vulnerable in the community. It is a light-touch, low-level care provision, with interactive reassurance, and a social care response action triggered by the care recipient should they need it. Messages can be tailored to the needs of the care recipient in their own homes. 

The study, a collaboration between Dr Davies, Social Careline and the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, will scope the service’s clinical benefit, as well as how it might enable the elderly and vulnerable to live independently for longer and prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.

The impact of the service will be investigated through discussion groups with key stakeholders, including NHS care commissioners, social care practitioners, community nursing teams, frailty response groups, clinicians and clinical leads for urgent care. 

Dr Davies said: “This funding is supporting the exploration of how an existing technology, such as that offered by Social Careline, could help patients and carers in the community, and the care services providing support and treatment. Academic and industry collaborations are a fantastic opportunity and have the potential to speed up the appropriate application of technology in healthcare".

For more information about the project, contact ben.davies@bristol.ac.uk.