Digital Maturity Ladder

What
Having digital equipment for use by back-office staff (e.g. laptop, desktop, etc.) and by care staff (e.g. smartphones, tablets, etc.)

Benefits
Able to record information digitally, safely and securely.

What
Ability for staff to confidently use digital equipment to support both administrative and care tasks.

Benefits
Confidence for staff in using digital equipment to support them in their work.

What
Good quality records underpin safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care. 

Benefits
They communicate the right information clearly, to the right people, when they need it. They are an essential part of achieving good outcomes for people.

What
Connectivity to the internet and Wi-Fi coverage throughout the care setting.

Benefits
Connectivity to the internet allows the use of email and other digital tools, plus potential access to multiple NHS digital services when appropriate. Wi-Fi coverage throughout the setting will also allow staff to access information and digital tools at the point of care.

What
Use of digital commissioning tools (e.g. Capacity Tracker, CERT, etc.)

Benefits
Use of digital commissioning tools makes it possible to electronically contract with commissioners, some of whom will only contract in this way. Some tools will also share information about care setting capacity, reducing the need for unnecessary contact.

What
Ability to hold phone/video calls with practitioners and other professionals to reduce the need for face-to-face contact (when appropriate).

Benefits
Less disruptive for residents. Less care staff time taken up with transportation, etc. Safety in instances of infectious conditions.

What
Completing the NHS data security protection toolkit for your care settings. Measure performance against the national data guardian’s ten data security standards.

Benefits
Allows potential access to multiple NHS digital services – NHS mail, SystmOne, proxy ordering, etc.

What
Sign-up for and use secure communication tools with practitioners and professional partners.

Benefits
The ability to securely send and share messages and/or information with practitioners and professional partners (e.g. NHS Mail, Egress, etc.)

What
Using digital tools to be able to update service user records at the point of care.

Benefits
No re-keying of information. No delay in making updates available to all staff.

What
All your resident interactions are in one place, making it easy to access their information.

Benefits
Build comprehensive care plans using industry-standard assessment forms and keep them up to date with real-time information.

All your care interactions in one place, making it easy to access and review information.

What
Access to the regional shared care record, via portal or digital social care record solution.

Benefits
Immediate access to relevant service user health records when appropriate. Save time in calling GP/hospital, etc.

What
Allowing appropriate service user information to be shared with the regional shared care record.

Benefits
Immediate access to service user care details for professional partners. Reduce telephone queries from partners.