Quarter of care providers not using technology to deliver care, DHSC survey finds
Tim Coulthard
More than a quarter of adult social care providers in England are not using any form of technology to deliver care, according to new DHSC data.
Findings from the Department of Health and Social Care’s 2025 Adult Social Care Provider Technology Survey show that 27% of providers are not using care technologies, while 73% report using at least one type.
The survey covers technologies used in care delivery, including monitoring sensors, personal alarms, video communication tools and digital applications designed to support wellbeing.
Adoption varies across the sector. Larger providers are more likely to use care technology, while smaller and micro providers are less likely to have adopted such tools, with a higher proportion reporting no usage.
The data also shows that digital systems used for administration and record keeping are more widely established. A majority of providers now use digital social care records (DSCRs), alongside other systems such as digital rostering, electronic medication administration records (eMAR), and finance or HR software.
However, the use of technology specifically to support care delivery is less consistent.
Providers identified a range of barriers to adopting care technologies. Around 70% cited both upfront costs and ongoing costs as challenges. Workforce factors were also reported, with more than half of providers highlighting training requirements and staff capacity as constraints.
Other barriers identified in the survey include connectivity issues, cyber security requirements, and levels of digital skills among staff.
