Agenda item

9.1       The Head of Business Development and Insight introduced the report which provided an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Use of Digital and Technology in Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Review.

9.2       The Head of Business Development and Insight informed the Committee that all actions on the plan had been completed, although noted that digital development work would remain an ongoing area of focus. The report showed that the Department had continued to see an increase of using online forms and a new robotic process for sending and recording letters had recently been implemented. The Department now held social care records digitally and had piloted the use of Sign Live to access live interpretation with positive feedback. The Department would continue to seek opportunities to use digital to deliver services including automation and artificial intelligence (AI), although noted that this was at an early stage.

9.3       The Committee welcomed the report and discussed the following:

• Digital safety – The Committee sought assurance on safety procedures for storing records digitally and asked how frequently data was backed up. In response the Head of Business Development and Insight told the Committee that digital safety was a priority across the Council; there was a robust process in place to ensure the Department met statutory requirements and a two factor authentication had been built in to protect personal data. The Head of Business Development and Insight noted that more information on the back up process, including frequency, could be provided after the meeting.

• Digital inclusion – The Committee asked if people had concerns about using online services for personal matters. The Head of Business Development and Insight noted there were still options to engage with services non digitally and that although uptake was increasing, this was still low compared with referrals by phone or in person. In a discussion on how people of different ages were responding to this, the Committee heard that generally younger people were more confident with digital tools and the Department was working to increase confidence across all ages. The Director of ASCH noted that as well as the skills to use digital tools, the Department was mindful of challenges with digital literacy and poverty which could impact people's engagement with digital services and was seeking to make these accessible.
• Use of AI – The Committee discussed the potential of digital and AI and a question was asked about impact of the digital offer against carbon targets. The Director of ASCH noted that the Council was in the early stages of looking at the potential advantages of using AI and the risks, including energy impacts, would be considered. The Council was taking a cautious approach, however, within the context of increased financial pressures, AI could improve efficiency. 

9.4       The Committee agreed that although it was important to retain a human element in the delivery of services, the progress of digital and AI was fast paced and it was important the Council responded to this positively.

9.5       The Committee RESOLVED to note the report.

Meeting finished at 13.10.