Occupational Therapy News OTnews February 2020 | Page 22

FEATURE TECHNOLOGY that individuals are the focus of all TEC projects; work with academic institutions to prove the cash and non-cash benefits of TEC interventions; continue to develop project management skills; learn from failures and successes; and continue to build collaborative cross sector partnerships. For the profession, it aims to promote the value of occupational therapists and the profession in TEC project design and methodology, build the evidence base for occupational therapists working in TEC, and share best practice. Laura, Jane and Fiona are an enthusiastic team. They actively seek funding opportunities for future projects, aiming to improve services through the implementation of TEC, while working on current projects. They would encourage other occupational therapists to do the same whenever opportunities arise, and recommend everyone should take a leap into the unknown. The following comments from participants show the projects are having a positive impact: The hydration project focused staff over the very hot summer, and it meant residents were well hydrated. I’ve missed having a smart speaker to talk to, I’d like to have it back please. References Royal College of Occupational Therapy. (2018) Strategic Intentions 2018-20123. Available at: www.rcot.co.uk/about-us/governance/ strategic-intentions [accessed 6 November 2019] NHS England (2019). NHS Long-Term Plan. NHS England. Available at: www.longtermplan.nhs.uk [accessed 7 December 2019] Government Digital Service (2019) Service Standard. Available at: I really like the smart speaker, as I used to be organised and she helps me do that. The magic table has brought people together, groups that may not usually interact have been engaging in joint activities. https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2019/05/09/welcome-to-the-updated- service-standard/ [accessed 9 December 2019]. TEC team, North Somerset Council. For more information please contact: [email protected], jane. [email protected] or f iona.shergold@n-somerset. gov.uk Current projects Technology in Tamar Court, extra care housing: smart speaker technology. Pizey Avenue, respite care for people with learning disabilities: smart home technology. Having the smart speaker has made a difference, because it’s there I’ll use it. If it wasn’t there, I wouldn’t make the effort. It’s brilliant, and although I struggle, I’m determined to keep practising. There’s an improvement in my speech and four different people have noticed. At the end of the day everything that helps me, I will do. Uphill Links Court, supported living (LD): supporting carers to work efficiently. Hydration Innovation: preventing dehydration in care home residents. Winter Wellness Service (WWS): relieving winter pressures. Acoustic monitoring in care homes: reducing intrusive night time checks. Tovertafels (magic tables): interactive stimulation for people with dementia and learning disabilities. 22 OTnews February 2020 I feel better when I’ve video-called my family. The table has also been used as a distraction for one person from an activity that frequently leads to behaviours that challenge. This has meant that he has been able to stay at baseline and continue to engage positively with support and peers.