The next NCF Practice and Quality Community of Practice Forum and the NCF Digital Transformation Community of Practice Forum meeting will take place on the 20^th May from 11:30am-1:00pm.

How free is a free trial? 

In this joint session, we will explore ways to prepare for and respond to challenges associated with testing and adopting new digital technologies from an operational point of view.

We are delighted to be joined by Katie Thorne from Digital Care Hub who will help us explore two potential scenarios in which a provider is approached, either by the Local Authority or by a supplier directly, to test some tech. We will address what providers need to think about and what questions they need to ask if they are invited to take part in a free trial or a pilot of a digital solution and potentially adopt and implement it in the future.

What are the key questions you should be asking? What are the requirements from staff and resources? By the end of the trial, how will you know whether there has been a tangible benefit to you? What are you supposed to do when the trial comes to an end?

The Department of Health and Social Care announced earlier this year they will be setting new national standards and creating trusted guidance on care technology over the next year. Ahead of these standards being published, we think members would benefit from advice and support to better navigate the landscape as it is now. Given the relevance of the topic, we have invited DHSC colleagues who are involved in the development of the standards to come and listen in and hear members experiences and concerns.

We will be joined by Anthony Collins for a legal update plus a policy update from Liz Jones.

Agenda –
11:30am – Welcome
11:35am – Presentation/Workshop: Katie Thorne, Digital Care Hub
12:10pm – Member discussion
12:20pm – Legal update: Anthony Collins Solicitors
12:35pm – Policy update: Liz Jones, NCF
12:50pm – AOB
1:00pm – Close