Care minister: Facebook video-calling tablets on way to care homes to help isolated 'keep in touch'

Thousands of care home residents in lockdown because of the coronavirus will be able to see their family and friends on Facebook video-calling tablets, the Care minister Helen Whately has announced.

People most at risk of the coronavirus will get free access to 2,050 Facebook’s Portal video-calling devices being sent to care homes, hospitals and hospices. It will also be offered to in-patient learning disability and autism units.

The Facebook Portal device is a smart display. It enables people to make video calls to friends and family via Facebook Messenger’s built-in video calling service, but the Facebook Portal also has Alexa functionality.

Fifty of the tablets have already been delivered to pilot settings in Surrey with other areas including Manchester, Newcastle, Essex and London expected to benefit.

Care minister Helen Whateley ‘Social distancing is tough for all’

“Social distancing is tough on us all” said Helen Whately.

“We must remember how beneficial interaction with loved ones is for our wellbeing. I’m delighted that NHSX is partnering with Facebook to make it easier for those in care homes to keep in touch with friends and family.”

The minister also highlighted the "ongoing hard work by NHSX to expand communication capabilities across the health and social care sector”.

The government said care homes will be selected on the basis of their WiFi connectivity and ability to run devices in residents' rooms or another private location. NHSX is also looking at connectivity options for care homes without WiFi, including the use of 4G hotspots or data-enabled tablets.

'Unprecedented times'

NHSX is working with technology companies to help social care and NHS staff work remotely when they are advised to work at home.

The government said NHSX is looking at how to improve communication between clinical and care teams, shifting hospital outpatients to virtual appointments and accelerating the use of online and video consultations with GPs.

NHSX Digital Transformation Director, Iain O’Neil said: “Technology companies big and small continue to pledge their resources and expertise to support our NHS and social care system in these unprecedented times.”

Freddy Abnousi, head of Health Technology, Facebook said: “We designed Portal to give people an easy way to connect and be more present with their loved ones.

“With the global pandemic and social distancing measures, the ability to stay connected is more important than ever."

Care homes will be given advice by NHSX on device setup, infection control and data protection. This includes how to complete a factory reset before passing the device to a new user to protect the personal data of different users and staff.

The care homes and care settings involved in the pilot have been told they can keep the devices for free after the pilot phase.

Vic Rayner, executive director, National Care Forum and Care Provider Alliance, said: “We are thrilled to see solutions being offered to Adult Social Care providers that can support residents in care homes to communicate with their loved ones remotely during this COVID-19 outbreak.

“We are very much looking forward to hearing how these Facebook Portal devices are used and what impact they have during this difficult time.”