Connected Social Care Trial Expanded in Rural Dorset

The 5G RuralDorset project is set to support more vulnerable independent people in their own homes as it extends its government-funded trials.

13:48 11 April 2022

The 5G RuralDorset is extending its Government-funded trials to support more vulnerable independent people living in their own homes. 

 

The project, which is led by Dorset Council, has seen the deployment of Internet of Things devices in homes where people needing social care support reside. The project recently received additional funding from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport allowing it to deploy 30 additional devices supplied by the Internet of Things Solutions Group. 

 

The devices, which are connected via the Vodafone network, are used to monitor the residents' daily activity. They send alerts of any changes in daily patterns, which could potentially indicate illness or a fall. 

 

Emma Mahy, CEO at IoTSG, said: “Dorset Council have shown that they are keen to trial innovations and have been a frontrunner in adopting this NBIoT solution. Their willingness to trial new technology has shown the value of the data, as well as exhibiting a great example of how LPWAN sensors can send information in areas with no mobile phone coverage. We are excited to be continuing this relationship with the 5G RuralDorset team and Dorset Council to support more rural residents.”

 

Jill Haynes, Cabinet Member for Corporate Development and Transformation for Dorset Council, which leads the 5G RuralDorset project, added: “If people’s health and wellbeing can be supported earlier, by way of timely reporting and insights to local community health and social care teams, then this potentially means better support and fewer medical interventions for them. This new technology is helping to shift the focus to prevention and we hope to utilise the additional 30 devices alongside our colleagues in healthcare to provide better outcomes for our residents.”