Image source: North Kent College
North Kent College has opened two technology supported assisted living suites to support the training of health and social care students and NHS employees.
The suites have been installed at the Tonbridge and Dartford campuses.
The college said they will show how the technology will allow carers and family members to monitor people more closely, and help students to understand its workings and take their experience into the workplace.
Initially the suites will be used to highlight how the technology can be used to improve outcomes for people with dementia living at home, in sheltered housing or residential care.
Each space comes with a range of technology including a PARO Seal, a lifelike seal with multiple interactive sensors that is used in dementia care to combat cognitive decline and lift moods.
Hands on experience
Stacie Collings, assistant principal (curriculum) for North Kent College, said: “These state of the art assisted living suites not only provide our students with hands on, real life experience but also empower our Level 2 and Level 3 learners with the opportunity to complete additional qualifications in assisted living technology.”
“This not only equips them with highly sought after skills but also enhances their understanding of innovative care practices, making them more employable and better prepared to deliver exceptional, compassionate care in diverse healthcare settings. By combining practical experience with cutting edge training, we are shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet the evolving needs of the sector.”
Denise Aspland, head of clinical education at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, said: “As the local acute NHS hospital to NKC we are already working collaboratively with the staff and we are looking forward to linking more closely with, not just this technology, but with the students on health and social care programmes of study.
“The suite will give students a real opportunity to explore ways in which technology can enhance patient’s quality of life and assist with allowing patients to remain in their own homes as long as is safely possible. This is an exceptional asset to the college and its role in creating greater learning experience for students. “
Upskilling workforce
The project came about after the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) identified a need to upskill the health and social care workforce in digital skills and to use technology to develop and deliver more effective services.
It has been made possible by a grant from the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), with the rooms being created by Automated Spaces, which designs and implements a range of independent living technologies.
