A trial project showing how digital technology can revolutionise adult social care has been extended after its success in Wolverhampton.
City of Wolverhampton Council is working with West Midlands 5G (WM5G) and neighbouring authorities to show how Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can improve the lives of hundreds of city residents.
As part of the project sensor devices and voice activated wireless technologies including fall detectors, smart speakers, smart doorbells and remote monitoring sensors, are being used in people’s homes to support individual care needs.
The trial programme is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) under the 5G Innovation Region scheme and focuses on eligible care and support needs of 3 groups – people aged 65 and over, people with learning disabilities and people with physical disabilities.
More than 250 referrals have been made in Wolverhampton since the start of the trial in September 2024.
This is benefitting the region by reducing hospital admissions, optimising carer visits, and enabling proactive care through advanced monitoring and predictive analytics.
Now the West Midlands has secured additional funding to stay at the forefront of the UK’s digital revolution.
The extension of the project will support regional and national scaling, expanding TEC to more local authorities, strengthening collaboration with NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
It will also enable the development of a business case, procurement framework, and programmes to support culture change and drive long term transformation.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “It’s an exciting time for social care in Wolverhampton.
“We’re just getting started with technology enabled care solutions, and we are already seeing positive impacts on culture change and our residents’ wellbeing.
“We strongly believe, and have seen evidence, of how technology enabled care can help vulnerable adults in our city live independently at home, support social workers and carers, tackle pressures on the NHS by reducing bed blocking and hospital admissions, and make a shift from reactive to proactive care.
“Thanks to this funding extension, we are looking forward to supporting many more people over the coming months.”
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Digital and Community at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We are driven by digital to make positive changes across our service areas by utilising technology and this is a prime example of how that is making an impact in the real world.
“The extension of this project is great news and helps ensure everyone is able to get connected and benefit from digital devices to make a difference to their everyday lives.”