Case Study

AI transforms public services as one council cuts task time from days to minutes

A recent case study by Agilisys showcases how North Somerset Council's implementation of Generative AI is enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency across multiple departments:

⚡️ Reduced survey analysis time by 90%, freeing up staff for more meaningful work.

🚀 120+ staff across various services seamlessly integrated GenAI into their daily workflows.

💡 20+ high-impact use cases implemented in just one month, showcasing AI's versatility in public sector applications.

🔗 Download Agilisys case study to learn more.

Health & Care

2 Million Older People in England Face Unmet Social Care Needs

Age UK's report reveals that 2 million older people in England have unmet social care needs, highlighting a critical issue in the health and care system. Despite the dedication of staff, services are unable to meet the growing demands, exacerbated by the pandemic. The report stresses the urgent need for early intervention to prevent minor health issues from escalating into emergencies.

Key findings include a significant rise in the older population, with 28% of those over 80 experiencing unmet care needs. The social care sector faces severe staffing shortages, and the NHS workforce is not expanding sufficiently to meet increasing demands. Age UK calls for comprehensive social care reform and better integration of services to support older people effectively.

Healthcare Sector

HMT Acquires St Quentin Care Homes in Newcastle-Under-Lyme

The Healthcare Management Trust (HMT) has acquired St Quentin Care Homes, which includes three facilities in Newcastle-Under-Lyme: St Quentin with 19 single bedrooms, The Hawthorns with 31 single rooms and two double rooms, and Langley House, a new care home for younger adults with 22 en suite wet rooms, a sensory room, and rehabilitation facilities.

Dr Nichola Stefanou, HMT's chief executive, stated that this acquisition offers a significant opportunity to integrate St Quentin Care Homes into HMT. The focus will be on maintaining high care standards, fostering innovation, and ensuring a smooth transition for residents, their families, and staff. This acquisition expands HMT's portfolio, which already includes three other care homes and two private acute hospitals.

Healthcare Policy

NHS Needs Long-Term Financial Security for Community Care Shift

The NHS Confederation's survey of Integrated Care System (ICS) leaders reveals significant concerns about the lack of long-term financial security, which hampers efforts to shift more care to community and primary settings. Key findings include:

• 90% of ICS leaders are committed to reallocating resources for local community care, but only 54% have made progress.

• 87% believe current budgets are insufficient to meet their goals.

• 86% worry about the financial state of local authorities affecting their ambitions.

• Only 40% feel accountabilities between ICSs and NHS England are well-defined.

ICS leaders urge the government to provide the necessary support and freedom to focus on long-term goals, essential for sustainable health and care systems.

Social Care

Ombudsman Calls for Mandatory Signposting in Care Sector

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has reported a decline in complaints about privately funded care, with only 333 out of 2,982 complaints in 2023-24. This discrepancy is attributed to a lack of awareness about the Ombudsman's services among private care users. The Ombudsman calls for mandatory signposting by care providers to address this issue.

Key concerns include delays in needs assessments and poor communication with clients and families. Professor Martin Green of Care England highlights systemic problems, urging local authorities and care providers to improve transparency and accountability. The Ombudsman upheld 80% of complaints, indicating significant issues within the sector.

Healthcare Policy

Integrated Care Systems: Challenges and Future Directions

Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in England are navigating significant challenges while striving to improve health outcomes, enhance productivity, and tackle inequalities. Key findings from a national survey of ICS leaders reveal:

• High Confidence: ICS leaders are generally confident in fulfilling their core purposes, particularly in enhancing productivity and value for money.

• Challenges: Financial constraints, workforce shortages, and health inequalities remain significant barriers.

• Recommendations: Multi-year funding settlements, payment scheme reforms, and better support for devolution are essential for sustainable progress.

ICSs are crucial in addressing both immediate and long-term health system needs, but require substantial support from national bodies to succeed.