Councils across the UK have been using digital platforms to help people who are self-isolating in their homes to receive care services.

North Lanarkshire Council, Norfolk County Council and others have been using Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.

North Lanarkshire worked with Agilisys to build its Helping Hands platform and Norfolk was guided by Hitachi Solutions throughout the process to create its Vulnerability Hub.

The councils can now use volunteers, charities and existing services to deliver vital supplies, as well as services like dog walking and chats to combat loneliness.

These platforms allow councils to identify and actively contact vulnerable people, through the government’s lists. Members of the community can then receive food parcels, prescription deliveries, financial advice and other support, while shielding themselves from Coronavirus.

As the country moves into the Test and Trace phase of the response to the pandemic, the councils hope to work with their partners in using the systems to track any local outbreaks of the virus.

Susan Cloke, business manager at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “This use of technology has supported the council deliver a large effort from multiple organisations to support residents of North Lanarkshire when they most need it.

“Going through this process of rapidly deploying Helping Hands technology has shown many of us how quickly technology can a be developed to support the community, we’re looking forward to using this technology and more across North Lanarkshire Council as we move into the future.”

The platforms built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform are now being used by at least 30 councils across Scotland and other parts of the UK, providing services to more than 700,000 people.

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