Care homes in England have been urged to apply for up to 11,000 free iPads being made available by the NHS to help residents stay connected to loved ones this winter.
Care homes are eligible for up to two iPads based on the number of devices they currently have to the number of beds. Applications close on Friday 23 October.
As part of a £7.5m deal, the free offer includes distribution, a 12-month support offer, and data-enabled SIM cards for care homes without full access to wi-fi.
NHSX said the iPads will stop the spread of the virus by reducing unnecessary visits while still allowing residents to connect with friends and family.
The devices will also allow staff to access healthcare information quickly and easily, and set up virtual NHS consultations where appropriate to reduce risk of infection, it added.
As well as pre-bundled software, the iPads will have easy-access links to NHSmail, the MS Teams app, the Digital Social Care website and Apple Care for technology support.
“These tablets will be the gateway for so many residents to connect with loved ones, and allow staff to quickly access digital NHS services and information, to help stop Covid-19 outbreaks in their track,” said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
The rollout of the IPads will be supported by new guidance to enable authorised and trained care staff to order regular medications on behalf of their care home residents online, reducing the administrative burden on staff across social care, general practice and pharmacy.
The application form for care homes to apply for an iPad can be found here https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NHSX_iPad_offer/.
