Digital Health and Care Technology Service Reaches Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has introduced a Digital Health and Care Technology Service aimed at integrating emerging technologies into local care services.
After two years of research and development, the service officially launched at the end of March, as shared by Caleb Assirati, the council’s strategic commissioning and systems development lead, at the UKAuthorITy Integrating Digital Health and Care conference.
The initiative brings together several key partners, including Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, South East London Integrated Care Board, Rethink Partners (as change consultants), and Alcove, the primary technology supplier.
A Shift Toward Sustainable Digital Care
Assirati emphasised the growing expectation to integrate new technology into healthcare:
“Some of that expectation comes from our residents—local people want care delivered in new ways that help them stay independent, safe, and well. It’s not just about us wanting to do this.”
Rather than relying on small-scale pilot projects, the service has been designed as a long-term strategy for delivering sustainable digital health and care innovations.
Resident-Focused Design and Advanced Technology
Developed with input from a residents’ group, the service operates under integrated governance and funding, overseen by a board of senior responsible owners from partner organisations. Extensive engagement with the care technology market has shaped its scope and capabilities.
Among the digital devices now available to residents are:
- Video care phones
- Smart watches
- Epilepsy sensors
- Fall alert systems
- Panic buttons
- Translator phones
Many of these devices link to a portal managed by Alcove, connecting users to Greenwich’s in-house monitoring team, care workers, and families.
Future Expansion and Virtual Wards
There are plans to expand the range of sensors and introduce clinical monitoring capabilities, supporting virtual wards for patients needing medical care at home.
“There are clear benefits to hospitals and to helping people stay at home longer,” Assirati noted. “It’s about meeting people where they are and seeing if we can provide these services remotely.”
Key Learnings and Next Steps
Although it is too early to measure the service’s impact, the rollout has highlighted several essential factors:
- Putting residents at the center of digital healthcare
- Ensuring integrated leadership and funding across partners
- Designing for innovation rather than simply iterating on existing solutions
- Adopting a mindset of continuous service improvement
“We want this to be a space for innovation—where we can explore new technologies and work with practitioners and residents to address the key challenges,” Assirati added.
Moving forward, the team aims to enhance data integration and automation, improving connections across departments like housing and enabling proactive use of incoming data to further improve care delivery.
