Leading care technology developer Person Centred Software has upgraded its Relatives Gateway platform with video calling to keep residents connected 
with loved ones during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Developed for care providers, residents and families, Person Centred Software’s Relatives Gateway platform has been upgraded to incorporate video calling functionality. It follows a 50% surge in usage of Relatives Gateway since the COVID-19 outbreak began, and a huge increase in phone calls to homes from families requesting updates on their loved ones.
The feature is offered free of charge to the UK’s 18,500 plus care providers. It uses a unique code entry system eliminating the need for homes to set up separate login profiles on third party accounts for every single resident. It makes it simple for carers to manage communication, and will keep elderly residents more easily in touch with family during a hugely challenging time for the sector.
Person Centred Software worked quickly to create and release a free version of its Relatives Gateway platform for all UK homes at the end of March. The new video calling functionality will also be free of charge for the duration of the pandemic.
Jonathan Papworth, founder and director of Person Centred Software said: “Despite the best efforts of all in our sector, many care residents remain cut off from loved ones on the outside. A major challenge care homes face is time setting up and securing individual resident profiles on third party video calling platforms. Many care homes are understandably experiencing high volumes of calls from families requesting updates about loved ones, and this is taking care staff away from looking after residents.
“That is why we have updated Relatives Gateway with a video link tool. It is fast to set-up, GDPR compliant, easy to manage and available to use right now, free of charge.”
Even before the release of the video integration, in the past month usage of Relatives Gateway had increased 50%. There are now more than 5,200 monthly users of the platform.
A relative with a father at a care home said: “I just wanted to say that your Relatives Gateway is absolutely brilliant! And I would personally like to thank whoever set this up in the first place. It is so good to see how dad is getting on throughout the day – it’s almost as good as being there myself.”
A Registered Manager at The Beeches Nursing Home added: “The video link is amazing and will be so helpful especially during this crisis. It makes Person Centred Software unique and so attractive!”
Jonathan concludes: “The updated Relatives Gateway platform could help overcome feelings of loneliness and enable relatives and loved ones to stay in contact. We are delighted to have the video link feature live and hope it helps at this challenging time.”
The Relatives Gateway enables relatives to communicate with loved ones via a web application. For further information, please visit www.personcentredsoftware.com/covid19response or call 01483 357657.
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