Navigating the Future of Digital Care in 2026: Insights from Peter Kerly of Everon UK
As the UK moves closer to the analogue telecare switch-off, 2026 is poised to become a milestone year in the evolution of digital care. With the phase-out of traditional analogue networks, healthcare providers are under pressure to modernize their services rapidly. This digital transformation promises enhanced protections for those they support, driven by the deployment of cloud-based platforms, remote monitoring, and data-led care models.
The Shift from Reactive to Proactive Care
One of the most significant changes occurring within health and care technology is the shift from reactive support models to proactive, preventative care approaches. Peter Kerly, Managing Director at Everon UK, emphasizes that this transformation indicates a significant paradigm shift. By leveraging data and technology, care providers can now anticipate needs and intervene before issues escalate. This proactive framework is designed to promote health and well-being rather than merely addressing problems as they arise.
The Integration of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to become an integral part of digital care in 2026, especially within group living and retirement settings. AI-enabled systems will analyze patterns of movement, activity, and behavior to detect early signs of deterioration. This capability enables care teams to offer timely interventions, thus reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.
For example, predictive analytics can help identify individuals at increased risk of falls, illness, or social isolation. Everon recently collaborated with Howz to produce a whitepaper demonstrating how technology can monitor changes in sleep patterns, a critical factor in assessing overall health. Understanding these patterns allows for early intervention, crucial for improving health outcomes.
Enhancing Workforce Capability
As digital tools become more commonplace in the care sector, workforce capability will emerge as a critical factor in successful implementation. Providers must focus on enhancing digital literacy among staff, particularly in interpreting and responding to insights generated by AI-supported systems. Training initiatives need to enable employees to utilize these tools effectively, ensuring that residents receive consistent and high-quality care.
In 2026, care organizations will increasingly seek to build digitally confident teams capable of integrating technology into their daily practices. Empowering staff with the knowledge and confidence to engage with new systems will be essential for optimizing resource allocation and care delivery.
A Holistic Approach to Care Delivery
The rise in digital assisted living technologies offers a unique opportunity to reimagine how care is planned and delivered. Data collected from interconnected devices—including patterns of movement, sleep, and environmental factors—provides unprecedented insights into residents’ health needs. This objective information empowers care commissioners and providers to tailor support plans specifically to individual needs rather than relying on generalized, reactive care.
By integrating predictive analytics and real-time monitoring into care strategies, providers can anticipate needs and adjust interventions dynamically. This proactive approach not only enhances the quality of care but also optimizes resource allocation across various care settings.
Delivering on Compliance and Accountability
Compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks will also heavily influence how digital care technologies are deployed. Digital care platforms can facilitate real-time oversight, automate reporting, and ensure secure data management, all critical for meeting the stringent requirements of health care regulations. Providers who adopt data-driven tools will find themselves better positioned to identify risk trends and demonstrate accountability.
Enhanced access to structured data will support service planning, workforce allocation, and long-term investment decisions, enabling organizations to strike a balance between quality care and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
As the landscape of digital care continues to evolve, healthcare providers must adapt to meet the challenges ahead. By embracing artificial intelligence, enhancing workforce capability, and adopting a holistic approach to care delivery, organizations can position themselves as leaders in the digital age. The insights shared by Peter Kerly underscore the importance of staying ahead of technological advancements while prioritizing the delivery of quality care. For more information about Everon Group’s initiatives in this ever-changing environment, visit their website here.
