20 November was Carers’ Rights Day, serving as a vital reminder that caring isn’t confined to the walls of people’s homes; it is a continuous, essential service that extends to every journey made to hospitals, clinics, and care centres. Here, we speak to Samit Biswas, founder and chief executive of Care Safe, about how technology can ease the burden on carers and ensure dignity for those they support
For millions of vulnerable individuals across the UK and worldwide, reliable, trained transport services and compassionate care workers are transforming their experiences, safeguarding dignity, and improving health outcomes.
Caring for an adult with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related frailty involves more than just emotional support — it requires practical, everyday assistance that ensures safety, respect, and independence.
And transport plays a crucial role in this ecosystem.
Whether a care recipient lives in a house or a flat without a lift, proper bed-to-bed transportation using specialised moving and handling equipment is indispensable.
These services are vital in preventing injury, reducing stress, and maintaining dignity during hospital visits or routine appointments.
Care workers are often unsung heroes. Their relentless contributions to the wellbeing of care recipients are instrumental in ensuring the continuity and quality of care.
They are the backbone of the social care system, providing ongoing day-to-day support that extends beyond health management.
Whether assisting with personal hygiene, medication routines, mobility, or emotional reassurance, care workers are involved in every aspect of a person’s life, often going beyond traditional caregiving roles.
However, unlike doctors or nurses, a care worker’s responsibilities extend to emotional reassurance, companionship, and ongoing support that enhance quality of life.
Their work involves meticulous planning, compassionate service, and sometimes, complex logistics — all to preserve dignity and respect for individuals who might otherwise feel forgotten or underserved.
Recent advancements in technology are beginning to transform this landscape, making care delivery smarter, safer, and more efficient for both care workers and those they support.
Innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), and Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly integrated into health and social care settings, revolutionising how services are delivered and monitored.
Recent advancements in technology are beginning to transform this landscape, making care delivery smarter, safer, and more efficient for both care workers and those they support
Imagine a smartwatch equipped with a built-in video camera, medication management features, and fall detection sensors.
Such devices can offer real-time updates and emergency alerts, ensuring that vulnerable adults receive timely intervention when needed.
Geo-fencing technology can notify care teams if a person with dementia or mobility issues strays from a designated safe zone, providing peace of mind for families and care providers alike.
These tools not only protect individuals, but also help care workers perform their duties more effectively by providing a clear record of care activities, alerts, and responses.
Predictive analytics is another game-changer.
By analysing patterns in health data, AI systems can forecast potential emergencies, such as falls, medication errors, or deterioration in health, often before they occur.
This pro-active approach reduces emergency hospital admissions, alleviating pressure on NHS hospitals and helping to combat bed shortages.
And it aligns perfectly with the UK Government’s 10-year vision to bring healthcare into the home, making treatment more immediate, dignified, and centred around individuals’ needs.
In the UK, the NHS faces ongoing challenges related to an ageing population, with over 1.4 million people aged 75 and over living alone, many of whom require complex, ongoing care (Office for National Statistics, 2023).
Additionally, NHS figures reveal that hospital bed occupancy remains at historically high levels, compounded by delays linked to patient discharges due to unavailable care packages or appropriate transport options.
These systemic issues underscore the crucial role that reliable, accessible, and technologically enhanced transport and care services play in creating a more-efficient and compassionate health system.
Globally, similar issues persist.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated one billion people worldwide experience some form of disability, many of whom face barriers in accessing health services or transportation.
By analysing patterns in health data, AI systems can forecast potential emergencies, such as falls, medication errors, or deterioration in health, often before they occur
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in systems that were already stretched thin, emphasising the urgent need for innovative solutions that prioritise patient safety, dignity, and independence.
Moreover, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight the importance of inclusive healthcare, universal access, and social protection.
Implementing AI-driven technologies, such as facial recognition and biometric authentication, can help accurately identify individuals, ensuring they receive the right care at the right time.
These tools can also assist in managing care workflows, reducing administrative burdens on care staff, and allowing more focus on personalised, compassionate care.
Despite these promising innovations, implementation must be guided by ethical considerations.
Data security and patient privacy are paramount. The UK’s Data Protection Act and regulations from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) emphasise stringent standards for safeguarding personal health data.
Digital safeguarding technologies, such as blockchain-based records or secure multi-factor authentication, offer solutions that provide transparency, protection, and accountability.
Furthermore, AI-driven systems can support training and quality assurance for care workers.
Using virtual reality (VR) simulations and AI feedback, caregivers can learn handling techniques and emergency response protocols more effectively, leading to improved safety standards and higher confidence among care staff.