Title

HEALTH

Small minority of councils use digital care services, poll reveals

Only a handful of councils are making full use of digital technology to provide personalised care in people’s homes, according to a group of organisations.

Only a handful of councils are making full use of digital technology to provide personalised care in people's homes, according to an umbrella group of organisations.

TEC Action Alliance said it had found only isolated examples of technology use, and little evidence of integration within the broader social care and health system.

The group's report was based on evidence from more than 2,000 people who use care services and frontline workers and leaders in care, health, housing and local government.

Only 18% of respondents currently use telecare or telehealth services and half of these people use it less than once a week, according to the survey.

The report said digital social care services reduce ambulance trips to A&E by 68%.

Group's co-chair Alyson Scurfield said: ‘At a time of immense pressure on NHS and social care services, digital care services can put power in the hands of people, helping them to self-manage their own health and live the life they want to lead.

‘We've found some pockets of good technology-enabled care but still no national adoption.'

HEALTH

AI: powering the next chapter of UK local government

By Emma Foy | 19 January 2026

One year on from the national AI Action Plan, Emma Foy says those who move early – and move responsibly – will shape the future of local government service d...

HEALTH

Hundreds of children failed by 'dysfunctional' care system

By William Eichler | 16 January 2026

Hundreds of vulnerable children in England are being placed for months in illegal, unregistered homes, according to a report from the Public Accounts Committee.

HEALTH

Challenging the LGR wisdom

By Heather Jameson | 15 January 2026

As local government faces the next round of reorganisation, Dorset Council chief Catherine Howe challenges the assumption that only county-scale leaders can ...

HEALTH

On your marks for the AI era in local government

By Dan Peters | 15 January 2026

Councils are racing to use AI to cut costs and improve services – but a shortage of skills is holding them back and time is running out. Dan Peters reports.

Popular articles by Mark Whitehead