COVID-19: rapid care technology deployment tool

Many thanks to all the councils who took the time to speak to us, write to us and who completed our survey. We asked councils how they were deploying care technology as part of their COVID-19 response, what the external and internal issues were that they were facing and what practical things would help support them now to overcome those issues. We have had around 30 contributions from councils over the country with some clear themes emerging which have been fundamental to the design of this tool.

• This is intended to be a practical guide for councils. It is not intended to be prescriptive or directive, but an aide and enabler to help councils make decisions quickly and mobilise interventions safely.
   
• It outlines common challenges councils are facing (including underlying causes and impact) and offers some potential care technology responses. Councils should be able to identify areas of priority and see practical guidance on how they might be addressed.
   
• We’ve split the tool into two steps: Part one is designed to support you to analyse your local themes. Part two is a mobilisation guide to deploying care technology in response to COVID-19.
   
• Some councils have already, in a matter of weeks, started to mobilise care technology interventions that may have otherwise taken months to plan and implement. We will continue to learn from their journeys by sharing practical examples and local learning.
   
• The intention is also that this guide will support councils to ask the right questions of stakeholders and providers, in order to make impactful decisions, rapidly, that will have immediate and sustainable benefits.