ASC Digital Transformation Fund
In 2022/23 The NHS Transformation Directorate's Digitising Social Care Team made up of both NHS and DHSC staff, is making a total of £25m available to Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
This funding will support CQC registered adult social care providers to adopt various technologies that can help you to transform the care you provide.
Digital Transformation can be utilised to support the council's vision to enable citizens to live better, for longer, at home if possible.
The use of digital technology enables providers to practice a person-centred approach towards the care of Coventry and Warwickshire's citizens.
The fund will support the adult social care sector to
- adopt digital social care records (DSCR), also known as digital care plans, to ensure care teams have the most accurate, timely information at their fingertips to provide outstanding care;
- Roll-out sensor-based falls prevention and detection technologies to support those at risk of falls, reducing the frequency and severity of falls-related injuries and preventing hospital admissions; and
- Test other care technologies based on local needs to further develop our understanding of what works.
Coventry and Warwickshire ICS have been successful in securing some of this funding from the NHS Transformation Directorate.
If you would like to express an interest in applying please contact: digitaltransformationfundenquiries@coventry.gov.uk
Who is the grant available to?
Grants are available to CQC-registered Adult Social Care providers in Coventry and Warwickshire. This includes providers of Residential and Non-Residential Services. For example:
- Care homes with or without nursing
- Domiciliary Care
- Extra Care
- Supporting Living
- Shared Lives
How do I apply for the grant?
Please contact digitaltransformationfundenquiries@coventry.gov.uk
What is the grant to be used for?
The purpose of the grant is to provide financial support to purchase a Digital Social Care Record from the assured suppliers. This funding is supplied on a match-funding basis, to assist with any financial costs of the set-up and purchase of a Digital Social Care Record. The grant can be used to pay for
How much is available?
Grants of up to £7500 are available for the implementation of Digital Social Care Records. The amount of grant allocation will be determined on completion of the online application form and provided as match funding to successful applicants.
What is the Assured Suppliers List?
Digital Social Care Record Suppliers have been assured by the NHS Transformation Directorate in NHS England. They have been assured against the Digital Social Care Records Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) core requirements.
My preferred DSCR supplier is not on the assured supplier list. Can I still get the grant?
No, you will not be eligible for the grant if your supplier is not on the assured supplier list.
I have four care homes, can I apply for a grant from all of them?
Currently you can only apply for one grant per provider, not per service.
What happens after I apply for the grant?
An organisation applying for a DSCR grant will be informed if they have been successful in getting a grant prior to placing an order for the DSCR system.
If my grant application is successful when will I get the funds?
The grant will only be payable on receipt of the copy of the invoice for the assured DSCR. This means that once a DSCR has been purchased, funding will be provided in a form of rebate on expenses incurred. For those who have an existing DSCR in place, the invoice for the system needs to be dated on or after 1 April 2022.
If I have already started the process. Will I still be able to get the grant?
Upon application for funding, please select the relevant option and provide details of prior expenditure in relation to the DSR, along with any evidential invoices for proof of payment. Upon receipt and validation of these, it will be possible to receive a partial rebate through match funding for any investment previously made.
What is the minimum connectivity infrastructure required by care homes to implement DSCRs?
You need to have internet connectivity/ suitable mobile reception as a minimum. If you need to check your level of digital maturity, including connectivity, you can book a free digital maturity assessment by e-mailing dspt@wmca.digital
Can I get help with completing my grant application form?
Yes. If you still need help you can e-mail digitaltransformationfundenquiries@coventrygov.uk
Implementing DSCR can be costly. What is my Return on Investment?
Some suppliers offer their basic system at no cost at all and for others, costs will vary. It is worth discussing your options with the supplier and it is worth trying to bargain for a better deal. Each care setting will be different, but you will be saving a substantial amount of money on your printing costs and management time.
Application process
- Providers e-mail digitaltransformationfundenquiries@coventry.gov.uk to Express an Interest. Providers will receive a link to the online application form, alongside the FAQ document.
- Providers receive a confirmation e-mail
- Providers can contact the Digital Transformation Officer to request Support
- Providers confirm their completion of the online application form by email to digitaltransformationfundenquiries@coventry.gov.uk
- Providers receive information as to whether the grant has been approved/rejected or deferred and Conditions of Grant Aid Document is sent to the provider. You may be asked to complete a supplier set-up and amendment form if your organisation is not currently on our system.
- Providers receive payment on producing a valid invoice from the supplier. This can be backdated from 1 April 2022 for those who have already sought funding.
- Providers must comply with monitoring arrangements as set out in the offer letter