The Lanarkshire Technology Enabled Care (TEC) team, who are hosted by South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, beat off competition from across the UK to win the digital transformation category of The MJ Awards. The ceremony is one of the premier events within Britain’s public sector calendar.
The team demonstrated how they have supported health and social care professionals to meet a diverse spectrum of health and care needs with a raft of ‘Telehealth’ and ‘Telecare’ solutions. 
This has ranged from remote monitoring using text message (Note to editors: case study noted below) to assistive technology such as sensors linked to community alarms helping people live safely and well at home. The TEC team have also recently been in the local public eye for their pivotal role in the Covid-19 emergency response. They rapidly scaled up ‘Near Me’ video conferencing to keep people across Lanarkshire safely connected to health and care professionals. (More information below)
Although the nomination that led them to victory was submitted in January, before the pandemic, the judges recognised the team’s long-established commitment to working across a diverse partnership environment – whilst always keeping the patient at the heart of what they do.  Morag Hearty, NHS Lanarkshire TEC programme manager, explained that very ethos continues to be the foundation of their ongoing work.
Morag added: “The health and care landscape has changed significantly since the turn of the year with technology becoming an ever prominent feature of the ‘new normal’. 
“What’s always shone through in the team is not only expert knowledge of what some people may call ‘tomorrow’s world technology’ but, critically, a very down-to-earth, human approach tuned into the here and now.
“Our wider team, for example, are combined of professionals from NHS and local authority working toward a shared goal. They have forged strong relationships across sectors and work cheek and jowl with the third sector, GPs, hospitals, social work, community staff and voluntary groups.
“Crucially, the team never lose sight of the end user. The type of technology we use can help reduce the need for traditional appointments, avoiding unnecessary travel, work or carer time and costs while maximising independence.”
Morag added: “Covid-19, of course, has changed the way how partner organisations deliver services and appointments may feel different. Whilst not in any way replacing health and care professionals, technology has enabled us to securely and efficiently continue with service delivery - and keep people connected when connection to health and care has been needed most. This will have continue to be important as we move forward and services recover. ” 
South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Chief Officer, Val de Souza, said: “The TEC team have built up a strong track record of demonstrating how technology can support people to manage their health and wellbeing, both safely and conveniently, whilst at the same time reducing pressure on the health and social care system.
“Their work has been underpinned, however, by a potent blend of professionalism and approachability. That’s not only won them national plaudits but also bodes well for the future delivery of an important aspect of health and social care in Lanarkshire.”

Factfile

•    Since entering the competition at the turn of the year, the TEC team had to rapidly scale up Near Me across various primary, community and hospital care settings.
From around 100 of consultations in February, some 43,000 video consultations have taken place since March.
The award nomination had documented how the team had set down successful, safe testing and trials of Near Me video consultation that allowed the subsequent scale up to happen. 
From new mums to care home war heroes, Near Me has since kept people connected to vital support. Further information on how this technology has benefited people during the pandemic can be found at this link. 

•    The award submission also set out how the team had implemented a range of TEC solutions across health and social care. This includes, for example, remote self-monitoring which has enabled thousands of people in Lanarkshire living with high blood pressure to safely self-monitor their condition and text their readings from home every day. Bill Fletcher’s story was featured in the nomination. Watch his Bill's film.

•    The award ceremony can be viewed at this link