2 Policy for digital health and social care

The use of digital health and social care technologies are part of health and social care strategy, both across the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. Figure 3 illustrates some of the different digital health and social care policy and strategy across the UK. Click on the different UK countries to see further information.

Figure 3 An interactive map of the UK.

Activity 2 Learning about digital health and social care strategy in the UK

In this activity, you will explore digital health policy and how local health and social care sectors are applying this.

Search online for digital health policy or strategy documents that apply to your geographic location. If you’re not based in the UK, explore one of the UK nations which interests you.
Choose one of these documents and read the introduction.
Fill in the table below.

Where you are prompted to provide a full reference of the document you have found, use the title and URL / web address. Identify what kind of resource it is (e.g. if it’s a report, you need to go to the ‘report’ section of this guide and so on).

Title and full reference of document	(A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
How is digital health technology defined or explained?	(A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
Why is it being used?	(A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
Provide at least one example of a digital health technology being proposed.	(A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)

Interactive feature not available in single page view.

Discussion

You might have used a number of different documents in this activity; these might have been local social care policy, documents relating to the NHS or a national strategy document. Here is an example of a completed table:

Title and full reference of document	Title: Informed Health and Care, A Digital Health and Social Care Strategy for Wales Welsh Government (2015) Informed Health and Care, A Digital Health and Social Care Strategy for Wales. [Available Online] https://gweddill.gov.wales/docs/dhss/publications/151215reporten.pdf (Accessed 12 August 2019)
How is digital health technology defined or explained?	It is described as digital technology and includes interactive, personalised services such as electronic records, the internet and dedicated web services.
Why is it being used?	To help manage austerity and increasing demand for services To help manage pressures on services Introducing new and improved ways of delivering services To help people access services and information about their care Empowering service users and staff Allowing people to manage their own health.
Provide at least one example of a digital health technology being proposed.	Dedicated web service that allows ordering of test, creating and viewing documents and accurate maintenance of records.

OpenLearn - What do we mean by digital health and social care?
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